'It was high spirits - vodka, gin and whisky': Dermot O'Leary jokes that Sharon Osbourne was drunk on live X Factor show after fans questioned her bizarre behaviour

Social media was buzzing with claims that she was a little worse for wear. 

And now X Factor host Dermot O'Leary has joked the rumours about Sharon Osbourne's behaviour on Saturday had merit.

During Sunday's results show, the TV anchor said her antics were down to 'high spirits - vodka, gin and whisky'. 

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Just joking? Dermot O'Leary has jokingly suggested the rumours about Sharon Osbourne's behaviour on Saturday's X Factor had merit

Just joking? Dermot O'Leary has jokingly suggested the rumours about Sharon Osbourne's behaviour on Saturday's X Factor had merit

Speaking straight to camera, the 43 year-old said: 'Despite what some reports are saying all the judges drank backstage was water.

'It was just high spirits. Those spirits being vodka, gin and whisky.'

Thankfully, Sharon - who was celebrating her birthday - laughed off the jibe, which offered a level of ambiguity. 

Smiling through it! Sharon - who was celebrating her birthday - laughed off the jibe, which offered a level of ambiguity for viewers

Smiling through it! Sharon - who was celebrating her birthday - laughed off the jibe, which offered a level of ambiguity for viewers

Cheeky: During Sunday's results show, the TV anchor said her antics were down to 'high spirits - vodka, gin and whisky'

Cheeky: During Sunday's results show, the TV anchor said her antics were down to 'high spirits - vodka, gin and whisky'

It comes just a day after she appeared to be overly-animated, then missing her cue on more than one occasion.

She also made reference to co-judge Nicole Scherzinger's breasts and flirted with several young, male acts - much to the live audience's amusement.

She even got the nationality of her contestant Saara Aalto wrong before asking a Scottish contestant to say a supposed phrase-meets-cliche.  

In the hot seat: Sharon Osbourne repeatedly faltered during the series' first X Factor live show on Saturday night 

In the hot seat: Sharon Osbourne repeatedly faltered during the series' first X Factor live show on Saturday night 

Theories: Countless people accused Sharon of being drunk on the show - although there's no proof to substantiate these claims

Theories: Countless people accused Sharon of being drunk on the show - although there's no proof to substantiate these claims

Naturally, viewers were quick to vent their criticisms - and theories - on social media.

One said: 'Sharon just asked a Scottish act to say "Och aye the noo". God help us when the first black act appears'.

Shortly after, another posted a picture of empty wine bottles, captioning it: 'Sharon's dressing room tonight'.

Social media speculation: The 63 year-old was the subject of humorous Twitter speculation, which suggested she was a little worse for wear on Saturday's X Factor

Social media speculation: The 63 year-old was the subject of humorous Twitter speculation, which suggested she was a little worse for wear on Saturday's X Factor

Amusing: First she appeared to be overly-animated, then she missed her cue - and later gave Honey G's introduction to the wrong camera

Amusing: First she appeared to be overly-animated, then she missed her cue - and later gave Honey G's introduction to the wrong camera

Cheeky: Former X factor flop Katie Waissel was keen to jump on the bandwagon

Cheeky: Former X factor flop Katie Waissel was keen to jump on the bandwagon

One viewer said: 'Sharon Osbourne is that drunk aunt you have that never buys a round and always flirts with your boyfriend'.

Another user chimed in: 'Anyone complaining about their hangover tomorrow...just be glad it won't be as bad as Sharon's'.

Perhaps summing up the elephant in the room, another said: 'Some one get Sharon Osbourne a coffee. She's wasted.'

OTT? Another user chimed in, 'Anyone complaining about their hangover tomorrow...just be glad it won't be as bad as Sharon's'.

OTT? Another user chimed in, 'Anyone complaining about their hangover tomorrow...just be glad it won't be as bad as Sharon's'.

He makes a good point! One Twitter user highlighted the double-standards on the show

He makes a good point! One Twitter user highlighted the double-standards on the show

Put it away, love! Sharon also made reference to co-judge Nicole Scherzinger's breasts and flirted with young, male acts

Put it away, love! Sharon also made reference to co-judge Nicole Scherzinger's breasts and flirted with young, male acts

Uncanny: One Twitter user implied that Sharon looked strikingly similar to a drag queen 

Uncanny: One Twitter user implied that Sharon looked strikingly similar to a drag queen 

Later, she was asked to give an introduction directly to camera for her act, Honey G.

Sadly, she delivered it to the wrong camera and spent almost all of the intro looking into a different lens.  

Even host Dermot O'Leary couldn't resist commenting on her amusingly animated behaviour, saying: 'We want whatever Sharon's on'.

MailOnline have contacted representatives for Mrs Osbourne and X Factor, but are yet to receive a response. 

Not her best performance: Sharon seemed to be unprepared during the live show

Not her best performance: Sharon seemed to be unprepared during the live show

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