Jul 14, 2011 21:01 GMT  ·  By

After years of struggling to keep her weight in check and, most of the time, succeeding at it, Sharon Osbourne seems to be losing the battle against the bulge. New photos of the television star show she’s been gaining a lot of weight.

Sharon has always been very open about her struggles to keep her weight under control, which even saw her on the plastic surgeon’s table at least on a handful of occasions.

Recent money issues seem to have taken a toll on her, as she’s packed serious weight since her last public appearance, the Daily Mail points out.

Sharon and good friend, singer Anastasia, went out for dinner at a Hollywood hotspot the other night. Paparazzi shots show Sharon considerably heavier than she was on the red carpet at the beginning of the year.

The Mail believes the family’s recent money problems are partly to blame for Sharon’s weight gain.

“She has often spoken out about her life-long battle with weigh and even had a gastric band fitted in 1999 before having it removed in 2006,” the publication writes.

“But despite undergoing considerable plastic surgery over the years, including a tummy tuck and liposuction it seems that Sharon Osbourne’s recent money worries have led her to comfort eat,” adds the Mail.

“The TV presenter was leaving Madeo restaurant in LA and her black baggy dressed failed to disguise her fuller figure,” the tab further says.

Then again, it could be that the weight gain appears bigger because of the baggy clothes Sharon chose for a casual evening out with friends.

Draped in a shapeless black gown with black flats to match, there’s no denying Sharon’s weight gain – but the dress could also add pounds on her because it’s not flattering for her figure, voices online are saying.

Photos from Sharon’s recent outing are here. The pic attached to this article is from January 2011 – compare and see the difference.