Simon Cowell axed Sharon Osbourne after first series, according to brother

Simon Cowell apparently fired Sharon Osbourne after the first series of UK smash hit talent show 'The X Factor', after she kept branding him as a "closet gay".

According to Sharon's brother David Arden, Cowell became tired of her regular jibes at his sexuality, and therefore forced her out of the show. But Cowell was then made to re-think his decision, as the show became 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."