Osbourne: I'm close to joining 'Strictly'

Sharon Osbourne has admitted that she is "close" to joining the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The former X Factor judge has frequently been linked to the BBC One show and has made no secret of her desire to compete.

Speaking to The Mirror, she said: "This year, I'm seriously thinking about doing it. I'm so close.

"I was asked to do it last year but I turned it down. I thought it would be disrespectful to Simon as it is X Factor's opposition."

Recently, it was speculated that the 56-year-old had told friends that she would "definitely" appear on the seventh season of the contest.