The 28-year-old US singer and actress is currently facing two wrongful death lawsuits, filed by the family of a woman who died on December 30 after her car was hit from behind by Brandy’s vehicle.

"Brandy has enjoyed her association with the programme," her representative said in a statement about the 28-year-old’s departure from the show. "However, she felt she couldn’t give the new season the attention and commitment it deserved."

Sharon will join current hosts David Hasselhoff and ex-Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan as a judge on the talent show, which is executive produced by her X-Factor cohort, Simon Cowell.

The second series of the show, which premieres on May 29, will also see the show’s previous host, Regis Philbin, replaced by Jerry Springer.

Sharon ’not quitting’ X Factor - Mar 13 2007
Sharon Osbourne’s publicist has denied reports that the X Factor judge is planning to quit the ITV talent show at the end of the next series.

The 54-year-old music manager was reportedly so shocked by last week’s axing of fellow judge Louis Walsh and presenter Kate Thornton that she was considering leaving to join hit US show America’s Got Talent.

But her publicist Gary Farrow said she had "no intention of leaving" and that the idea was "never discussed".

A TV insider in Los Angeles had apparently told the Daily Express: "Simon Cowell and Sharon have exchanged faxes sorting her future out with this show and her plans do not include X Factor.

"With the axe being wielded on X Factor, it’s got everyone running scared and Sharon knows her name was mentioned in the shake-up.

"All she is doing is securing her future and branching out."

But it seems that future does involve being Mrs Compassionate to Simon’s Mr Nasty for the time being.

Eyes down for Sharon - Feb 23 2007
Sharon Osbourne is becoming a bingo caller in aid of Comic Relief.

The flame-haired TV star will appear at a Gala Bingo club somewhere in Britain on March 9.

Her voice will be beamed live across the UK in a linked bingo game.

She said: "It promises to be a very exciting night. I love bingo, and what’s more I am a huge supporter of Comic Relief.

"I hope bingo lovers and people new to the game come along to one of the clubs on March 9 and help us raise as much money as possible."

The X-Factor judge - wife of rocker Ozzy and mum of Kelly and Jack - will fly in from the family’s plush home in LA for the occasion.

A host of celebrities are staging a string of events in aid of Comic Relief, culminating in Red Nose Day in March 16.

Sharon to lose gastric band? - Feb 16 2007
X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne is reportedly having an operation to remove the gastric band she had fitted in 1999.

The flame-haired star was due to appear on the US version of Strictly Come Dancing - Dancing With The Stars - but was apparently forced to pull out after medical experts warned her to have the op soon.

A source told The Sun: "Sharon had been told she should have the band taken out a while back.

"It helped give her a stunning figure but lately she has been in a bit of discomfort with it and doctors told her to have it taken out sooner rather than later."

The petite mum-of-three lost 100 pounds after having the band fitted - and then had plastic surgery on the loose skin.