Is Sharon Osbourne making a play to get back on the UK X Factor judging panel? She’s certainly making all the right moves, if that is what she’s up to. Sharon – who was formerly a judge on the show – is being mooted as a potential replacement for Tulisa Contostavlos who was reportedly not showing enough commitment to the show. Osbourne was recently spotted out in West Hollywood, California, having dinner with Mezhgan Hussainy, X Factor mogul Simon Cowell’s former fiancée and close friend.

The 60 year old looked to be in pretty good spirits as she and Mezhgan left the exclusive restaurant they had been dining at, the Daily Mail reports. Whilst Sharon had opted for a sleek monochrome outfit, a white t-shirt topped off with smart black trousers, a black jacket and a gold-edged handbag, Hussainy brought a splash of colour to the outing, with a red halter-neck dress and black scarf. Sharon was previously a judge on X Factor between 2004 and 2007 and it looks as though she could be returning. She’s far from the favourite to take the role, though, with a show source telling the newspaper “It’s a wildcard. But I wouldn’t rule it out.”

Sharon OsbourneTulisa
Sharon Osbourne (L) could be returning to X Factor to replace Tulisa Contostavlos (R)

Robbie Williams is also a contender for one of the judging spots, it seems, as show producers reckon the chemistry between him and his Take That band mate Gary Barlow would make for excellent drama. Tulisa herself hasn’t officially been ruled out of the running though it’s thought unlikely that she’ll return.