Sharon Osbourne has slammed American TV networks for expecting her to be like Oprah Winfrey when she first attempted her chat show career.

The chat show was cancelled in 2004 due to poor ratings and the programme, which ran for only one year, was heavily criticised for its strong focus on the Osbourne family.

She says: "I got a reputation for being a bit of a loose cannon who would ask crazy questions.

"And I did this thing in bed, which I stole from Paula Yates (late British TV presenter), who I idolized.

"The networks were absolutely petrified (of me). I'll never be bloody Oprah Winfrey!"

The mother-of-three has since launched a UK version of her show in August on British network ITV.