Sharon Osbourne refutes claims she made racist and homophobic comments about former The Talk co-hosts amid Piers Morgan defence fallout

Sharon Osbourne has denied new allegations she made racist and homophobic comments about her former co-hosts on US chat show The Talk, as the programme remains off-air.

The show is currently on hiatus while network CBS investigates Osbourne’s clash with fellow presenter Sheryl Underwood last week during a heated discussion over Osbourne’s defence of Piers Morgan following his incendiary comments about the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle.

While Osbourne, 68, later apologised and said, ‘I have deep respect and love for the Black community’, the show has since launched an investigation.

Now the presenter has addressed fresh allegations which were reported by US journalist Yashar Ali, who accused Osbourne of making racist comments about a former The Talk co-presenter Julie Chen, who is Chinese-American, and cited multiple unnamed sources, as well as another former The Talk co-host, Leah Remini.

Ali’s report further cites unnamed sources who claimed that Osbourne also referred to former co-host and executive producer of the programme Sara Gilbert, who is lesbian, as ‘p***y licker’ and ‘fish eater.’

Howard Bragman, Osbourne’s representative, has denied the claims, branding them ‘lies’.

He said in a statement via PA News Agency: ‘The only thing worse than a disgruntled former employee is a disgruntled former talk show host. For 11 years Sharon has been kind, collegial and friendly with her hosts as evidenced by throwing them parties, inviting them to her home in the UK and other gestures of kindness too many to name.

‘Sharon is disappointed but unfazed and hardly surprised by the lies, the recasting of history and the bitterness coming out at this moment. She will survive this, as she always has and her heart will remain open and good, because she refuses to let others take her down. She thanks her family, friends and fans for standing by her and knowing her true nature.’

The allegations come after CBS said The Talk will stay off air until next week while it investigates Osbourne’s clash with her The Talk co-presenter Underwood, who is Black, in which she challenged Underwood to ‘educate’ her on racism.

During an episode last week discussing former Good Morning Britain presenter Morgan’s comments about the duchess Osbourne became increasingly emotional and teary as she defended Morgan’s comments, saying: ‘Did I like everything he said? Did I agree with what he said? No.

‘Because it’s his opinion. It’s not my opinion… I support him for his freedom of speech, and he’s my friend. I’m not racist… I don’t care what colour or what religion anyone is. Are you a nice person? That’s what I judge you on.’

She then challenged: ‘What would you say to people who may feel that while you’re standing by your friend, it appears you gave validation or safe haven to something that he has uttered that is racist, even if you don’t agree?’

Osbourne hit back: ‘I very much feel like I’m about to be put in the electric chair because I have a friend, who many people think is a racist, so that makes me a racist? What does it gotta do with me?’

She added: ‘I will ask you again Sheryl, I’ve been asking you during the break and I’m asking you again, and don’t try and cry ‘cause if anyone should be crying it should be me. Educate me. Tell me when you have heard him say racist things.’

CBS had cancelled The Talk’s episodes for Monday and Tuesday and the show was due to return on Wednesday, but the network has now confirmed it will not be back until next week while an investigation is carried out.

A CBS spokesperson said: ‘CBS is committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace across all of our productions. We’re also very mindful of the important concerns expressed and discussions taking place regarding events on The Talk.

‘This includes a process where all voices are heard, claims are investigated and appropriate action is taken where necessary. The show will extend its production hiatus until next Tuesday as we continue to review these issues.’

Osbourne recently also denied claims she described co-host Holly Robinson Peete as ‘too ghetto’ for The Talk before Peete was let go.

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