Simon Cowell made Amanda Holden howl with laughter as they attended a Britain’s Got Talent photocall together on Tuesday after her feud with Sharon Osbourne.

The pair looked thick as thieves as they shared a giggle while posing with their fellow judges Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon at the Ham Yard Hotel in London.

The quartet are back in action for the ITV show’s 17th series with Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly returning as hosts.

Amanda and Simon put on a united front after Sharon branded her an ‘ill-informed sycophantic’ in an acid-tongued social media letter.

Amanda had previously defended Simon on Friday, calling Sharon, 71, and Louis Walsh, 71, ‘bitter and pathetic’ after they tore into the music mogul on Celebrity Big Brother.

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Simon Cowell (right) made Amanda Holden (centre right) howl with laughter as they attended a Britain’s Got Talent photocall together on Tuesday after her feud with Sharon Osbourne

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The pair looked thick as thieves as they shared a giggle while posing with their fellow TV judges Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon at the Ham Yard Hotel in London

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Amanda and Simon put on a united front after Sharon branded her an ‘ill-informed sycophantic’ in an acid-tongued social media letter

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Simon said he would be open to working with Cheryl again, contradicting Sharon and Louis Walsh’s claim he doesn’t keep in touch with former friends and colleagues

During their appearance on the reality show, Sharon told Louis that Simon doesn’t know how to maintain friendships, implying they hadn’t spoken in a long time.

Speaking to MailOnline at the photocall, Simon contradicted this claim that he drops his former colleagues and revealed he would be open to working with Cheryl again, who was also a judge on The X Factor.

Simon and Cheryl recently reunited on the final episode of Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, with Simon saying it was ‘amazing’ to see her again.

He added: ‘She hasn’t changed at all. I miss her. We had great fun working together… so it was a bit of a reunion. Definitely, I would work with her again in the future with the right show because I think she was a really, really good job.’

Simon said his son Eric and Cheryl’s son Bear have met and get along well.

In an acid-tongue letter posted on X, Sharon blasted Amanda after she said Simon had ‘given them a lot of money and a lifestyle they probably wouldn’t have had’.

Amanda had told the Daily Mail’s Weekend Magazine: ‘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.’

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Amanda cut a glamorous figure in a white long-sleeved mini dress that highlighted her toned pins

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Alesha turned heads in a black jumpsuit with a cut out detail that highlighted her toned abdomen

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The quartet are back in action for the ITV show’s 17th series with Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly returning as hosts

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Bruno, who joined the judging panel last year, looked dapper in a baby blue suit with a white patterned shirt

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Simon and Amanda looked delighted to be reunited on the red carpet

You can read the interview in Weekend magazine in full by clicking here.

12 hours later, Sharon took to Twitter to issue the presenter with a full statement and accused her of being an ‘ill informed sycophantic’.

Sharon’s daughter Kelly also weighed in on the feud as she jumped to her mother’s defence.

Taking to her Instagram Story, the TV personality, 39, shared a cryptic clip by author Daniel Chidiac which discussed not letting people disrespect you.

In the clip, Daniel said: ‘Some people are really so delusional that they think it’s disrespectful when you don’t just sit back and allow them to disrespect you anymore.’

Composing the post as you would a letter, Sharon’s post began: ‘Amanda, I am responding to your interview with the Daily Mail on April 12th, I respect the fact that you feel the need to defend your good friend and employer, Simon Cowell, who is also your husband’s employer, or so I’ve read.

‘However, a couple of your statements regarding myself are factually incorrect.’

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The judges put on a playful display as they posed for the cameras ahead of the new series

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Simon kept it casual in a navy jumper which he paired with black trousers and a pair of sunglasses

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Simon, Amanda, Alesha and Bruno also took part in an interview to discuss the new series

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Alesha and Amanda gave each other a hug as they reunited on the red carpet

Sharon went on to list her incredible repertoire of achievements, as she savagely pointed out: ‘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.’

Sharon insisted: ‘The truth is, you don’t know me, Amanda or any of my close friends. You know nothing about my family 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.’

Sharon went on to flaunt her wealth and luxurious lifestyle as she quipped: ‘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. 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.’

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In an acid-tongue letter posted on X, Sharon blasted Amanda after she said Simon had ‘given them a lot of money and a lifestyle they probably wouldn’t have had’ (pictured in 2014)

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Sharon hit back in a savage response to Amanda after the Britain’s Got Talent judge branded her ‘bitter and pathetic’

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Sharon took to Twitter to issue the presenter with a full statement and accused her of being an ‘ill informed sycophantic’

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Sharon went on to list her career accolades and those of her husband as she made a case as to why she didn’t need Simon Cowell

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Sharon savagely pointed out: ‘Amanda, I think you’re missing the point here, no disrespect to Simon Cowell, but he NEEDED ME for musical credibility on X Factor’ (pictured in 2004)

Listing her career accolades, Sharon continued: ‘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 winner and arena and stadium headliners.

‘I was also a very successful festival producer with Ozfest which ran for 24 years, as well as a best-selling author and producer of the hit show ‘The Osbournes’ for which I received an Emmy Award.

‘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.’

Not afraid to speak her mind and spill behind the scenes secrets about the showbiz industry, Sharon and Louis didn’t hold back during their time on Celebrity Big Brother last month.

During on episode, Sharon said she was ‘furious’ with Simon because she claimed he didn’t renew her contract when she expected he would which meant she lost out on another major TV gig.

Meanwhile, Louis revealed he no longer spoke to his former partner in crime despite once sharing the most talked about bromance in Britain.

Speaking about the interaction, Amanda told the Daily Mail: ‘I thought, ‘Oh my God, it’s like watching a pantomime.’ I just think they look so nasty and awful.

‘There was a friendship there and an opportunity. So however the business ends, you should have respect for the opportunity that was given to you and the pay cheque that was given to you. Just be gracious. There was none of that and I can’t bear it.’

Snapping back, Sharon explained that none of her success was down to Simon and instead due to her own work and that of her husbands.

She continued: ‘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. When I met my husband I was already very well established in the music industry.

‘Having worked with bands like Electric Light Orchestra, Motorhead, Smashing Pumpkins, Gary Moore, The Move , Roy Woods, Wizzard, Linsey de Paul, Breitt Ekland and Black Sabbath to name a few.

‘I think you must have forgotten my husband is a music icon who has sold 170million albums, won multiple Grammy Awards, and is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

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Speaking about the interaction between Sharon and Louis on the show, Amanda said: ‘I thought, ‘Oh my God, it’s like watching a pantomime.’ I just think they look so nasty and awful’

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Amanda has been friends with Simon since she joined the first series of BGT as a judge and they have remained close – and she defended him in the interview

‘We have been together for 44 years and he has spoiled me from the first day we met, he has given me more than any man could, all of this before I ever knew who Simon Cowell was.’

Signing off, Sharon concluded: ‘In closing I must say whenever I have seen you on TV I always thought you were very beautiful and talented. However, never make comments about my lifestyle given to me by Simon Cowell.

‘It’s demeaning to me and my husband and all the achievements I have made in my life as you’re making yourself look like an ill informed sycophantic.

‘Sincerely, Sharon Osbourne’.

Sources have claimed that since Sharon shared her statement, Simon has reached out to Amanda to show his support.

A source told The Sun On Sunday: ‘It’s one of the first rules of celebrity; you never cross Sharon Osbourne — but Amanda stands by her comments.

‘Her phone was inundated with messages of support from loads of well-known names, all sympathising hugely.’

Amanda reportedly received a message from Simon’s fiancée Lauren Silverman, as the music mogul himself doesn’t have a phone.

After Sharon’s scathing post, Amanda insisted she stands by what she said, while acknowledging the X Factor judge’s ‘incredible’ career.

A spokesperson for the actress told MailOnline: ‘Amanda is aware of Sharon’s incredible career but, just like her, Amanda will always defend those close to her.’

Sharon was paid nearly £7,000 for every minute she appeared on screen during her stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house last month.

The star was a fan favourite on the show, however viewers were left disappointed after it was revealed she would only be living in the house temporarily as a ‘lodger,’ and would be given her own private room.

It was previously reported that ITV bosses were unable to match the huge fee Sharon requested to take part in the show, with sources claiming that she would still be paid a huge £100,000 per day.

After nine days of living in the house, Sharon finally said farewell during a live eviction episode on Tuesday, and it seems that ITV really had to splash out for every minute Sharon appeared on screen.

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Simon Cowell has teased that the news series is as exciting as ever and will have elements never seen before in previous series

This year, it has already been revealed that there will be a total of nine golden buzzer moments on Britain’s Got Talent, marking the most the show has ever seen.

Hosts Ant and Dec said the show took longer to film because the judges were ‘more chaotic’ than ever.

Discussing their antics, Dec said: ‘They’ve been even more badly behaved than before.

Ant added: ‘It’s not just the pressing of the Golden Buzzers numerous times, they’ve also played tricks on us.

‘Normally it’s us pranking the judges, but the tables have been turned this year and we weren’t expecting that. Naughty judges!’

They revealed that because of several rule breaks and generally anarchy, the show is taking longer to film.

Dec explained: ‘Everything takes a little bit longer to film now, because the judges have been so mischievous this year. There is definitely a sense of chaos, but they seem to be having a nice time.

Ant said: ‘We always liken this show to The Muppet Show, you know where you’ve got a show going on but there’s chaos backstage. There’s chaos backstage, chaos out the front, and chaos onstage… it’s just chaotic.’

Ant and Dec said their own Golden Buzzer act is something the audiences have ‘never seen before’ as they admitted they believe they could go all the way.

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Ant and Dec said their own Golden Buzzer act is something the audiences have ‘never seen before’ as they admitted they believe they could go all the way

Despite most of the judges embracing the chaos, Alesha admitted that she has stuck to only pressing her golden buzzer once.

She explained that she felt pressing it more than once ‘takes away’ from the original act you have vouched for.

Alesha said: ‘I quite like following rules, which is very ironic. I’m very rebellious in my nature, but I do like a bit of structure. I only pressed my golden buzzer once because for me personally, it gives more value to the act that I’ve pressed it for.’

Simon Cowell has teased that the news series is as exciting as ever and will have elements never seen before in previous series.

The music mogul and former X Factor boss admitted he is conscious of the show feeling ‘stale’ and is keen to always keep it feeling fresh.

He said: ‘It’s got a heart, great stories, things we’d never seen before, which is important because you don’t want to just keep repeating the same thing year on year. So overall, I couldn’t be happier.’

While there are going to be nine golden buzzers this year, Simon said there were ‘easily’ another 17 acts that deserved the accolade.

He explained: ‘I love that there aren’t any rules on the show anymore. It is kind of like being back at school, because the teachers keep coming in saying, ‘You know, can we try and keep the golden buzzers down?’

‘And they know we’ve got absolutely no intention whatsoever of doing that. I keep saying, ‘Look, if something happens or the audience in particular are telling us, then we kind of have to’.

‘I think they secretly love when it happens, but they have to try and keep us in check! But I don’t think it matters.

‘I mean, we don’t want to get to the point where you’ve got 20 golden buzzer acts, but I think eight or nine is fine, that’s one an episode and in one episode you’ll see two. I don’t see that as a bad thing.’

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This year, it has already been revealed that there will be a total of nine golden buzzer moments – marking the most the show has ever seen

Despite the competition being so tough, Simon shared that all of the judges are in agreement about who may win the show this year.

He said: ‘When we were discussing the finals, we went round the room and said who we think might win and there was one person everyone gravitated towards.

‘It’s going to be interesting. I’m excited for this year, let’s see who the public picks as their winner.’

He also admitted that despite his decades of experience in the industry, he still doesn’t know what it takes to win over an audience.

Simon said: ‘I don’t know anymore. I genuinely don’t. I mean, if you had told me after his first audition that Viggo was going to win, I’d be like, “Yeah, right”.

‘But then it happened. And the great thing about this show is it doesn’t matter. Whoever the public chooses, the public chooses, and I really think they get it right most years. I really, really do. There’s always someone I feel bad for, of course. But you can just never predict who the public will love.’