Sharon Osbourne

Sharon Osbourne

Sharon Osbourne had to get ready for the 'X Factor' auditions at a Premier Inn.

The returning judge - who was previously a panellist on the programme from 2004 to 2007 - is being put up at the posh Claridge's hotel, where rooms can cost more than £1,000 a night, for the London leg of the auditions, but after a power cut struck yesterday (19.06.13), Sharon was forced to take refuge at a nearby budget hotel.

An insider told The Sun newspaper: "Sharon was delayed getting to auditions as there was a power cut at Claridge's where she is staying, so she couldn't get ready.

"There wasn't even any hot water. She ended up going to a Premier Inn to get ready."

The 60-year-old star has signed up to return to her American chat show 'The Talk' at the same time as this year's 'X Factor', but she has vowed to mentor her contestants via Skype when she jets back first class to the US, with ITV set to fork out £13,000 per trip.

A source said previously: "Sharon has done a deal which will see her jet back and forth a number of times, with her flights paid for by ITV. That was one of her conditions.

"But she is still confident she can give her acts the support they need.

"There are a million ways to keep in touch with people. Many of the judges aren't there every day of the week."

A show spokesman insisted Sharon will only fly to the US "a couple of times" while the live shows are on, with the majority of her travelling set to take place during the auditions and boot camp stages of the competition.


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