AMANDA Holden's absence from Saturday Night Takeaway has been explained.
It comes as the Britain's Got Talent judge, 53, is in the midst of a war with words with former X Factor favourite Sharon Osbourne, 71.
Fans had expected to see Amanda play her part in the final episode of Saturday Night Takeaway which aired on TV last night, with the star even listed in the credits.
Yet after she failed to appear - as the drama with Mrs O played out in full - Amanda's absence has been clarified.
A representative for the DJ - who branded Sharon "bitter and pathetic" the day before - told The Independent it was due to "scheduling changes" and added: "Amanda was to be a guest on SNT for the airing of her prank on Dec.
Amanda Holden hits the beach in her New Year's Eve outfit after partying
"Due to scheduling changes this was shown last week.
"Therefore Amanda was not required on the show this evening."
A spokesperson for ITV then added: "Holly, Gino, Amanda, and Olly Murs couldn’t make it into the studio tonight due to prior commitments."
For her part, Amanda was seen all smiles as she ignored the drama just hours before.
Meanwhile, Ant and presenting pal Declan Donnelly, both 48, fought back tears as the last episode of the ITV game show played out last night.
The two-hour live finale of the much-loved ITV prime-time entertainment hit marked its 20-year anniversary.
Fans also told how they were left "genuinely heartbroken" as the show wrapped.
Shock spat
Amanda fired the first shots as she reignited Sharon's feud with music mogul Simon Cowell.
The mum of two jumped to her boss Simon's defence after he was slammed by Sharon and Louis, both 71, on ITV reality show Celebrity Big Brother last month.
Amanda Holden strips off to white bikini ahead of return to radio show
This week, she told the Daily Mail: "I hated seeing certain people in a reality show dissing Simon - he's the person who's given them all the chances, given them a lot of money and a lifestyle they probably wouldn't have had.
"It's bitter and pathetic. It was like Cinderella with her two sisters in the background - just stabby, stabby, stabby."
Sharon worked with Simon on the X Factor, which spanned between 2004 and 2007, as well as in 2013, and between 2016 and 2017.
It was like Cinderella with her two sisters in the background - just stabby, stabby, stabby
Amanda Holden
Clap back
Late Friday night, Sharon issued a stinging statement as she gave Amanda "an education" on what she deemed to be the facts.
She wrote: "A couple of your statements regarding myself are factually incorrect.
"The statement 'I hated seeing certain people in a reality show dissing Simon – he’s the person who’s given them all the chances, given them a lot of money and lifestyle they probably wouldn’t have had.'
"The truth is, you don’t know me, Amanda. You know nothing about my history in the music industry, my achievements, the artists I have worked with, the shows that I’ve produced, and my global celebrity.
"Unlike you, the brand of Sharon Osbourne is known worldwide.
"There are many countries that I could work in if I choose to however, I don’t have the ambition or time to do so, and unlike you, I don’t work in radio or pantomime."
Talking of her glam life back home, which she said she usually keeps under wraps, Sharon continued: "Our worlds are totally different. I have been blessed with an amazing lifestyle throughout my entire life.
"Before you were born, I was living in a mansion in Beverly Hills and continue to do so today and continue to have my country estate in England as well.
"But there is something you should know. I never discuss money, lifestyle, or positions of power.
The truth is my money and success were not due to doing a couple of Simon Cowell talent shows
Sharon Osbourne
"I find it to be classless and crude. However, you’ve now forced my hand to divulge these things to you and I honestly don’t want to seem like I’m bragging, but the truth is my money and success were not due to doing a couple of Simon Cowell talent shows.
"Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed doing them at the time as they were great fun. Yes, Simon paid me very well. Probably more than what you’re receiving today, but all of that my darling went on a few handbags."
She added: "At the time that I worked on X Factor, I was the only judge who had global accomplishments with multiple million-selling artists, Grammy Award winners and arena and stadium headliners.
"I was also a very successful festival producer with Ozzfest which ran for 24 years, as well as a best-selling author and producer of the hit MTV show The Osbournes for which I received an Emmy Award.
"The bottom line, Amanda, is, that you’ll never be in my league, and you’ve picked on the wrong ugly stepsister
Sharon Osbourne
"Amanda, I think you’re missing the point here. No disrespect to Simon Cowell but he NEEDED ME for musical credibility on X Factor and I delivered for him and together all of us made a great team.
"It was only after several seasons of X Factor that Simon started to build his music empire and I give him much kudos for what he built.
"But in case you are living under a rock, my husband is a music icon who has sold 170 million albums, won 5 Grammy Awards, and is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee. We have been married 42 years and we had a fantastic lifestyle before I ever heard of Simon Cowell."
As she wrapped her scathing response, she added: "On closing, I hope I’ve given you a proper education about me so that the next time you choose to mention me, you’ll have some facts in your pocket.
"The bottom line, Amanda, is, that you’ll never be in my league, and you’ve picked on the wrong ugly stepsister.
"Sharon Osbourne."
