This time it is for good, apparently. After previous threats and several theatrical flounces off set, Sharon Osbourne will not be returning to The X Factor.
The 55 year old wife of rock star Ozzy has been a regular face on the hit talent show since it launched four years ago.
However, she has always been the fiery element of the show, with viewers - and producers, it seems - never knowing what she was going to do or say next.
It seems the introduction of new judge Dannii Minogue in the last series unsettled her, leading to reports of back stage rows.
"Unfortunately, if you put two women on a show, then people want to see a cat fight," Osbourne was previously quoted as saying.
In October, she walked out of one episode of The X Factor after two of her three acts found themselves in the bottom two of the show. She announced live on air: "I'm out - gone!"
There have also been reports that Osbourne was demanding more money than ITV was willing to pay, although this has been denied by a source close to the departing judge.
Those close to Osbourne say it was the big work load associated with the show, which begins filming next week and goes on until the end of December, that prompted her to go.
Whatever the reason, I think she will be missed. Yes, she was mouthy, annoying and a bit too forward, but she worked well with the other judges.
The big question now is whether she will be replaced, and if so, by who. The bookies, never a group to miss out on free publicity, have already started taking bets, with Ladbrokes putting American Idol judge Paula Abdul in the lead.
"Paula Abdul has helped out Simon Cowell in the past," Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg said. "It would be no surprise to see her fill the void."
It quotes the latest odds as -
Paula Abdul 2/1 Kylie Minogue 3/1 Kelly Osbourne 4/1 Lilly Allen 5/1 Madonna 10/1 Leona Lewis 16/1 Amy Winehouse 100/1
I say get Winehouse involved. She was great with those baby mice. Just think what she could with some X Factor contestants.
Or maybe not.
Who would you like to see replace Osbourne?
