What could possibly be worse than seeing your dreams of a career in music brutally crushed on prime-time television? Getting deported.
Originally from Zimbabwe, Gamu Nhengu narrowly missed out on a place in the live finals of the X Factor on British TV last weekend (creator Simon Cowell is set to launch the U.S. version next year). And despite the 18-year-old and her family residing in Scotland for eight years, immigration officials have said that her mother, Nokuthula Ngazana, has been refused permission to stay after her visa expired in August.
But there are now suggestions that this decision allegedly influenced judge Cheryl Cole in light of any discussions taking place between officials and the show’s bosses. (a spokesman for the Home Office said her getting axed was the “business” of the X Factor and the TV network, ITV 1, said, “Gamu’s visa being processed was not the reason that she didn’t make the final 12.”)
More than 200,000 people have joined a Facebook campaign calling for her return but this particular song looks set to have a sad ending.
(To see more about Gamu on NewsFeed, click here).