Sharon Osbourne defends daughter Kelly's appearance after cruel comments from 'bullies'

After witnessing her daughter subjected to years of brutal remarks about her appearance, Sharon Osbourne has finally had enough.

Appearing at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Academy Awards Viewing Party on Sunday (15 Mar), the 73-year-old praised her 41-year-old daughter, Kelly, for 'standing up' against online bullying.

Following a series of recent, notably daintier red carpet appearances, Kelly, who had been receiving comments about her weight loss, took to social media earlier this year.

She explained that her struggle to eat began after the passing of her father last July, clarifying that any weight changes were unrelated to trending diets.

Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne died in July of last year following a heart attack, with Parkinson's disease and other health issues contributing.

"My dad just died, and I'm doing the best that I can..." she wrote online in December. "The fact I'm getting out of bed, facing my life and trying should be more than enough."

Kelly lost her father Ozzy in July of last year (David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Despite this, in the months since, her Instagram comments are ceaselessly flooded with remarks about her physique - statements comparing her to a 'dead body', and asking if she's currently using weight loss injectables.

Responding directly earlier this month, the mother-of-one hit out in an Instagram video: "To the people who keep thinking they're being funny and mean by writing comments like 'Are you ill,' or 'Get off Ozempic, you don't look right.'

"My dad just died, and I'm doing the best that I can, and the only thing I have to live for right now is my family."

Kelly also slammed the supposed 'concern' for her physical well-being as disguised 'abuse'.

Asked by Extra during this week's high-profile gathering whether she's 'proud' of her daughter using her platform to condemn appearance-based trolling, Sharon gushed: "Listen, people that give it out have to get it back."

This is far from the first time that former X Factor judge Sharon has fought Kelly's corner.

Sharon has defended her daughter on several occasions (JMEnternational/Getty Images)

During an appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored earlier this year, the mum-of-three told viewers: "She's right. She's lost her daddy, she can't eat right now."

Following her appearance at this year's BRIT Awards, during which she and Sharon accepted a posthumous lifetime achievement award on rockstar Ozzy's behalf, Kelly was once again grilled online for her look.

She later shared a more emotional plea online, begging online critics to give it a rest.

"There is a special kind of cruelty in harming someone who is clearly going through something," Kelly wrote. "Kicking me while I’m down, doubting my pain, spreading my struggles as gossip, and turning your back when I need support and love most.

"None of it proves strength; it only reveals a profound absence of compassion and character."

She continued: "I’m currently going through the hardest time in my life. I should not even have to defend myself. But I won’t sit here and allow myself to be dehumanised in such a way!"