After hearing that fellow judge Simon Cowell will be earning a whopping 3 million pounds for judging on the next two series of the X Factor, Sharon Osbourne has demanded that the producers raise her pay by £50,000 per series.

A show insider said: “Sharon and Louis know they can hold out for a huge pay day.

“Sharon is asking for loads more cash — but it is a big commitment to do the series as it runs for seven months, from audition to crowning the winner. ITV have Simon tied up, so they are turning their attention to Sharon and Louis.

“They want to sign the pair up for the next two years.�

Last night, Sharon’s spokesman Gary Farrow told TV Biz: “We never comment on contractual negotiations. But we’re all expecting to be very happy at the end of the year.�