Sarah Ferguson was reportedly once expected to become a "chat-show host" like Oprah Winfrey, it has been claimed. The former Duchess of York, whose reputation has hit an all-time low over recent months, has had an interesting career since divorcing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in 1996.

After ending her time as a royal wife, Sarah signed numerous different deals, from books, to promoting brands and so on. However, it is believed that at one point in time, it was hoped she could become a chat-show host like Oprah Winfrey.

This is something Andrew Lownie wrote about in his book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York.

An extract from the book read: "As part of a strategy masterminded by some American tycoons, Sarah was now being promoted as a shrewd businesswoman, author and chat-show host.

"They wanted her on Oprah Winfrey, David Letterman and Diane Sawyer, all aimed at exposure, which would generate lucrative endorsement and merchandising spin-offs."

It is believed this was the plan after she had already signed numerous deals, including a memoir deal and advertising deals.

Sarah also reportedly around the same time signed a deal with Paris Match to interview six celebrities at £10,000 per article.

The deals would likely have been easier for Sarah to come by as a result of her previous royal marriage.

While the deals may once have been coming in often, this is no longer the case for Sarah over the last few months.

This is because she appeared in the Epstein files, which show that she was friends with the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein even after he was released from prison for child sex offences.

As well as emails in which Sarah can be seen calling Epstein a "legend" and praising him, the files contain emails that show how Sarah met Epstein in Miami a few days after his prison release for lunch.

The pair are believed to have met alongside Sarah's daughters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice.

Appearing in the Epstein files does not indicate wrongdoing.