Sharon Osbourne to replace Tulisa on UK `X Factor`

London: Rock matriarch Sharon Osbourne has emerged as Simon Cowell`s number one contender to replace the recently axed Tulisa Contostavlos on the UK version of the `X Factor`.

Former N-Dubz star Tulisa has just been dropped from her post on the upcoming season of the hit reality show, and the show`s boss Cowell has made Ozzy Osbourne`s wife his number one target after former Spice Girl Melanie Brown ruled herself out of the running, reported The Sun. Brown, who was a guest judge on the show last year, had been in contention to star as a judge on the new series before committing herself to the next season of `Australia`s Got Talent`. Sharon`s return to the show will come six years after she last appeared on the show, where she was based from the show`s inauguration in 2004 until 2007, and now she is apparently the only person on Cowell`s radar. "Simon is a huge fan of Sharon. Things are looking good for her. She is in pole position," a source close to the music mogul said. Another former `X Factor` UK judge, Dannii Minogue, will be taking on judging duties on the Australian version of the show for the next season. The native-Australian, who famously fell out with Sharon back in 2007, has relocated back down under so she can spend more time with her family. PTI