SHARON OSBOURNE - LANCE ARMSTRONG'S KIND GESTURE TO SHARON OSBOURNE

SHARON OSBOURNE has expressed her gratitude to SHERYL CROW's champion cyclist beau LANCE ARMSTRONG for giving her words of encouragement during her battle with cancer.

The rock matriarch, wife of rocker OZZY OSBOURNE, shocked fans in 2002 when she revealed she had been diagnosed with colon cancer. And while she's triumphed over the deadly disease, Sharon says she was especially touched by Armstrong's actions - because they haven't even met each other.

She says, "When I was sick, he sent me his book and he sent me a letter of encouragement. Thank you Lance! I've never met him and for him to take his time out and write me a letter and send me his book, it really meant a lot."

Armstrong conquered cancer to win the prestigious TOUR DE FRANCE cycling race a record five times.