Ever wanted to find out what makes Sharon Osbourne tick? Now’s your chance.
The formidable Mrs O is heading to The Alexandra Theatre on January 24 with a show unapologetically titled ‘Cut The Crap!’ in which she’ll take questions from the audience under the direction of journalist and Loose Woman Jane Moore on any subject you care to fire at her. But probably best to wear a tin hat.
Sharon Osbourne appears at The Alexandra Theatre on 24 January
“This show is really about my life story,” says Sharon. “I’ve certainly lived a lot of life in my 71 years so there are a lot of stories to tell. Plenty of ups and downs, good luck and bad, too. It’s not all been wine and roses.
“I love hearing other people’s life stories. But I’d never buy a novel; I only buy biographies. I don’t like made-up stories. Mind you, I don’t think anyone could make up my story. My life has been like a Jackie Collins novel – or so I’m told.”
Does she think she attracts drama? “Yes, I do. I think it may be because I’m a bit eccentric so it must follow me around. I’m a magnet for drama.” Not to say a mouthpiece.
Is she a woman for regrets? “Sure. To have regrets is a part of life and growing. I often think: ‘If I could only do that again’ but you can’t. So, all you can do is try to make sure you don’t do whatever it was another time. Not that I always succeed.”
So, what does she regret professionally? “I’m someone who’s always said what’s on her mind. And then it’s gone. But other people won’t let it go. They don’t like confrontation and they don’t like it when I challenge a situation.
“I don’t like made-up stories. Mind you, I don’t think anyone could make up my story.”
“The thing that I forgot when I was actively trying to have a career in TV was that I was an employee; it wasn’t my show. There were certain rules that went with that, certain attitudes expected of you. There’s a professionalism that should come with the way you conduct yourself.”
Outspoken she may be but she’s also loving and loyal and hugely protective of husband Ozzy and their three children, Aimee, Kelly and Jack.
Life is about to change for the family. In the new year, she and Ozzy will move from LA back to their Buckinghamshire home. Why?
“It’s just time. I look at the years and years I’ve lived in LA as being permanently on holiday. But America is changing. It’s becoming more scary. The UK isn’t immune to that. Everywhere feels jittery right now but the UK perhaps less so.
“I still feel very English. I’ve never felt American. More of my adult life has been spent there but I’ve never acquired an American accent. But I’m British and I want to come home.”
Does Ozzy feel the same? “He does but he’s a little anxious about the distance between him and the kids and the grandchildren.” Jack has four girls; Kelly has a baby boy, Sidney. “They’re the best thing about getting old,” says Sharon.
Ozzy was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2003, she reveals. “But the world didn’t know that and the condition anyway progressed extremely slowly.”
All that changed when he got up in the night five years ago, tripped over something in the dark and fell flat on his back on the tiled bathroom floor. Such was the damage to his spine that he’s now undergone five major surgeries.
“I still feel very English. I’ve never felt American.”
The fall also acted as a trigger for the Parkinson’s which went into overdrive. The result is that he’ll continue to make records – he’s had two Top 5 albums in the last five years – but, sadly, his touring days are over. “He was halfway through his two-year farewell world tour,” says his wife, “when the accident happened.”
How is he coping temperamentally? “He’s gone through terrible depressions. And, when you’re not in a good state of mind, it’s hard for the body to heal.”
It must also have put pressure on Sharon. “I’ve become his cheerleader. But that’s something I hadn’t planned at this stage of my life. And it’s not been easy watching your husband go through such agony physically. It’s heart-breaking. You can’t put it into words.
“But he’s getting there. His mental state is much improved. Last year, he won two Grammys. He’s 74. He was selling out arena shows. None of this was in our plan. We think we’re in charge of our own destiny. Ha!”
She thinks it will help Ozzy to be UK-based. “Once he gets home, and feels the love that’s here for him, that will be very healing. And the grandchildren can come and visit. It’s not like he’s never going to see them again.”
Ten years from now? “Well, I hope I’ll still be alive – and Ozzy, too. There are no outstanding goals, nothing left to prove. I’ve done it all. I’ve lived one helluva life. Now, I just want to spend important time with my husband.”
She pauses. “I do like a mission, though. I’ve always got to be doing something.” You can say that again.
