Sharon Osbourne.Photo: Stefanie Keenan/Getty
Sharon Osbourneis leavingThe Talkafter appearing on the show since its debut in 2010.
In a statement on Friday, CBS announced Osbourne’s exit from the daytime talk show. Her departure comes afterthe series extended its hiatusfor a second time, PEOPLE confirmed, as the network continued to look into Osbourne’s behavior following her controversial defense ofPiers Morganon the March 10 episode.
“Sharon Osbourne has decided to leaveThe Talk,” the statement begins.
“The events of the March 10 broadcast were upsetting to everyone involved, including the audience watching at home. As part of our review, we concluded that Sharon’s behavior toward her co-hosts during the March 10 episode did not align with our values for a respectful workplace. We also did not find any evidence that CBS executives orchestrated the discussion or blindsided any of the hosts,” it continues.
It concludes: “During this week’s hiatus, we are coordinating workshops, listening sessions and training about equity, inclusion and cultural awareness for the hosts, producers and crew. Going forward, we are identifying plans to enhance the producing staff and producing procedures to better serve the hosts, the production and, ultimately, our viewers.”
The Talkwas initially put on atwo-day hiatusbefore the break wasextended. The show was scheduled to return March 22, but will now return April 12 following a pre-scheduled hiatus the week of April 5.
ron Osbourne.John Shearer/Getty
During the March 10 episode, Osbourne, 68, defended Morgan amid backlash for hiscontroversial remarksquestioning the validity ofMeghan Markle’s discussion on mental health during herrecent interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Her fierce defense of Morgan, 55 —who quitGood Morning Britainamid criticism from his co-hostAlex Beresford— resulted inan intense exchangewithSheryl UnderwoodonThe Talk.
Underwood, 57, later told Osbourne that she was downplaying the racial undertones of Morgan’s remarks.
Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty
“Did I like everything he said? Did I agree with what he said? No,” Osbourne argued onThe Talkshow. “Because it’s his opinion. It’s not my opinion … I support him for his freedom of speech, and he’s my friend.”
Their conversation quickly turned emotional with Osbourne telling Underwood to “educate” her and warning her not to cry during the episode. “I very much feel like I’m about to be put in the electric chair because I have a friend, who many people think is a racist, so that makes me a racist?” Osbourne asked while on the verge of tears.
Addressing the situationthat Friday, UnderwoodsaidonThe Steve Harvey Morning Show:“I want to thank everybody all over the world in social media, everybody in radio, television, news, everywhere, everybody that reached out.” She added that she received “prayers” and “love” from fans.
Osbourne later apologizedfor her “panicked” response to Underwood.
“I have always been embraced with so much love & support from the black community & I have deep respect & love for the black community,” she wrote onTwitter.
RELATED VIDEO: Sherri Shepherd Reacts to Sharon Osbourne’s Controversial Conversation with Sheryl Underwood on The Talk
Osbourne added that does not “condone racism, misogyny or bullying,” but rather was supporting Morgan’s freedom of speech.
“Now I see how I unintentionally didn’t make that clear distinction,” she said. “I hope we can collectively continue to learn from each other & from ourselves so that we can all continue to pave the way for much needed growth & change.”
Osbourne added, “I hope we can all hold each other up with accountability, compassion & love during this powerful time of paving the way for so much needed change.”
Want to get the biggest stories fromPEOPLEevery weekday?Subscribe to our new podcast,PEOPLE Every Day,to get the essential celebrity, entertainment and human interest news stories Monday through Friday.
Since her controversial conversation with Underwood, Osbourne has been accused of additional instances of racism, homophobia and bullying on the set ofThe Talk, all of which she has denied.
On March 16, journalist Yashar Ali published areportalleging that Osbourne used several racial slurs while referring to her formerThe Talkco-hostJulie Chen, citing multiple unnamed sources, including another formerThe Talkco-host,Leah Remini.
Ali’s report further claimed that Osbourne referred to former co-host and executive producerSara Gilbert, who is lesbian, as “p—- licker” and “fish eater.”
The week prior,Holly Robinson Peete, who exited the daytime talk show in 2011 following its first season, claimed that Osbourne hadcomplained she was “too ‘ghetto,'“and alleged that it played a role in her departure.
Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty
“CBS is committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace across all of our productions,” reps for the show said in a statement to PEOPLE at the time. “We’re also very mindful of the important concerns expressed and discussions taking place regarding events on The Talk. This includes a process where all voices are heard, claims are investigated and appropriate action is taken where necessary.”
Prior toThe Talk, Osbourne was a judge onThe X Factor U.K., a judge onAmerica’s Got Talent, a contestant onThe Celebrity Apprentice, the host ofRock of Love: Charm School, the host ofThe Sharon Osbourne Showand famously starred on her family’s reality showThe Osbournes.
source: people.com
