Cowell 'sacked' Osbourne after gay jibes

Simon Cowell fired Sharon Osbourne after the first series of British talent show 'The X Factor', because she said repeatedly that he was gay, her brother claims.

In an angry expose, David Arden alleges Cowell grew tired of Osbourne's jibes and forced her out of the show, only to rehire her because it was a flop without her.

Arden says: "She tells everyone he's gay. She claims he's in the closet and doesn't know yet he's homosexual, which is ridiculous.

"And even though Simon has a beautiful girlfriend (model/TV presenter Terri Seymour), Sharon would openly harangue and taunt him about it.

"Sharon told me that at the end of series one Simon actually got her fired for her jibes and nastiness to him and the contestants.

"The producers persuaded Simon to give her a second chance as they loved the chemistry between the judges."