Sharon Osbourne looks in cheerful at lunch after it emerged racism scandal on The Talk was ‘set up’

Sharon Osbourne, 68, appears in good spirits as she enjoys lunch with friends in LA… after it was revealed her racism scandal on The Talk was ‘set up’

Sharon Osbourne appeared in good spirits as she stepped out for lunch in Montecito, California this week.

The star, 68, smiled following a meal with friends, after new tapes revealed the racism scandal involving Sharon on The Talk was believed to have been set up.

The outspoken TV personality cut a casual figure in a loose-fitting white shirt and baggy blue denim jeans as she went about her business.

Stepping out: Sharon Osbourne, 68, looked cheerful at lunch with friends  after new tapes revealed the racism scandal involving Sharon on The Talk was believed to have been set up

She wore a pair of bright white trainers and a straw sun hat to keep the bright daylight off her face.

Sharon accessorised with a long gold necklace and could be seen carrying a straw handbag and various shopping bags as she left the restaurant.

Earlier this month, a newly unearthed audio recording obtained by DailyMail.com revealed her co-host Elaine Welteroth said that they ‘know she’s not racist’ amid the scandal earlier this year.

Heated: Sharon came under fire on The Talk in March after defending Piers Morgan in an on-air debate with co-host Sheryl Underwood (pictured), who accused him of making racist remarks

Heated: Sharon came under fire on The Talk in March after defending Piers Morgan in an on-air debate with co-host Sheryl Underwood (pictured), who accused him of making racist remarks

In the tape her co-host Elaine, 34, can be heard consoling a distraught Sharon moments after the TV star’s heated on-air confrontation with Sheryl Underwood.

Elaine apologised to her former co-star and reassuring her that ‘no one thinks she’s racist’ in a conversation in Sharon’s dressing room after the explosive March 10 show.

She also tells Sharon that she believes the co-hosts were ‘set up’, revealing CBS show runners initially wanted her to ask the question that sparked the entire firestorm.

The music manager left the daytime talk show in late March after a heated debate over her friend Piers Morgan saw her publicly fall out with Sheryl and her other co-stars at The Talk. 

The row began when Piers stormed off UK chat show Good Morning Britain on March 9 after saying he didn’t believe Meghan Markle was suicidal following her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.

When asked to comment on his remarks on The Talk the following day, Sharon said that although she disagreed with Piers, she supported his right to express his controversial opinion on TV.

Sheryl pushed back hard and accused Sharon of downplaying Piers’ comments and giving ‘validation’ to his ‘racist’ views.

The incident sparked a wider conversation about race and an internal investigation at CBS after Elaine reportedly complained of ‘a racially insensitive and hostile environment’ at the show.

Debate: Elaine Welteroth was part of the heated discussion on race during the March 10 episode that saw Sharon publicly fall out with her co-stars and subsequently quit the show

Debate: Elaine Welteroth was part of the heated discussion on race during the March 10 episode that saw Sharon publicly fall out with her co-stars and subsequently quit the show

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