Gene Simmons has taken everyone by surprise by  publicly apologising to Sharon Osbourne over disparaging remarks he’s made about her and the Osbourne family in the past.

Appearing on US chat show The Talk, Simmons was confronted by host Sharon in the following manner:

“When you started Family Jewels somebody said, ‘Isn’t it like The Osbournes?’ and you were reported to have said: ‘No, because my kids aren’t on drugs’.”

 She also took him to task for calling Ozzy ‘sad’.

His response was very contrite and apologetic, not something for which he’s been known in the past:

“Rightfully so. Any mother should defend her family. I honestly don’t remember saying those things – but if I did, I was way out of line. Your family is your business and no one has any right to say anything about them.”

Simmons also admitted that he was in love with longtime partner Shannon Tweed and that he would do anything to work out the couple’s current problems.

“I will do whatever it takes to finally grow up and be a man.”