THE Talk’s Sharon Osbourne claimed she was “blindsided” by the recent Piers Morgan segment as she “begged” for a change of topic.
The popular cohost recently found herself apologizing after she saw backlash following her defense of the controversial British personality.
Sharon told Variety that all of the chaos blame should be put on CBS’s shoulders.
She explained: “I blame the network for it. I was blindsided, totally blindsided by the whole situation. In my 11 years, this was the first time I was not involved with the planning of the segment.”
According to the 68-year-old she was only informed that there would be a focus on Piers a few minutes before Wednesday’s episode.
She claimed: “I said, ‘Sure, they can ask me whatever.’ But then I get on there, I say my piece and Sheryl [Underwood] turns around straight-faced, looks at me and is reading from a card with questions.
“I was just so hurt, caught off guard and stunned by what I was being asked and not prepared. I was honestly in shock. I felt like I was in front of a firing squad. I felt like a lamb held out for slaughter. … They had me there for 20 minutes.”
Sharon then claimed she “begged them to stop, to please change subjects.”
She added: “I’m a big girl. I’m a professional. However CBS blindsided me. I don’t know why they did it to me. The showrunners told me it came from executives to do this to me.”
The CBS talk show is now said to be “under internal review,” according to Deadline.
All of this comes after Sharon made it clear she was in Piers’ corner after he slammed Meghan Markle following her interview with Oprah Winfrey.
During the chat Meghan claimed she felt suicidal while pregnant – she and her husband, Prince Harry, also alleged senior figures in the Royals questioned the color of their first born Archie’s skin before the pair welcomed him.
However, Sharon’s cohost Sheryl did not see eye to eye with her after Ozzy Osbourne‘s wife said she was supporting Pier’s “freedom of speech.”
The two exchanged words as Sharon ended up in tears during the heated segment.
Hours after the on-air spat – which saw the duo refuse to apologize on air as revealed exclusively by The Sun – Sharon posted a lengthy message in which she clarified her position and views.
She wrote on Instagram: “I have always been embraced with so much love and support from the black community and I have deep respect and love for the black community.
“To anyone of colour that I offended and/or anyone that feels confused and let down by what I said I am sorry.
“I felt panicked, truly blindsided, got defensive and allowed my fear and horror of being accused of being racist take over.
“There are very few things that hurt my heart more than racism so to feel associated with that spun me fast! I am not perfect, I am still learning like the rest of us and will continue to learn, listen and do better.
“Please hear me when I say I do not condone racism, misogyny or bullying. I should have been more specific about that in my Tweet…”
The fallout from the on-air fight may continue to have a negative impact, as previously, The Sun exclusively revealed Sharon may head for the exit doors.
A source previously said everyone on the show is “petrified” Sharon will quit.
The source added: “If Sharon quits the show will most certainly be canceled. No one will watch without Sharon…”
