Gamu Nhengu: I’m over pain of X Factor but still fighting to stay in UK
X Factor contestant Gamu Nhengu says she is "over the pain" of being kicked off the ITV talent show.
But the 18-year-old Zimbabwean, who has lived in Scotland for eight years, revealed that she still faced deportation after her visa application was rejected by the Home Office.
Ms Nhengu was an early favourite for X Factor but was sent home two weeks ago after judge Cheryl Cole picked two contestants who failed to finish their audition. Problems with the teenager's visa then surfaced.
A campaign to save her was backed by Scottish culture minister Fiona Hyslop, who wrote to Home Secretary Theresa May asking for the application to be reconsidered.
X Factor judge Simon Cowell's lawyers were also drafted in.
Speaking as she made a guest appearance at the Mobo awards last night, Ms Nhengu said the visa was still "up in the air" and there had been no contact from the Home Office.
On her departure from X Factor, she said: "Have I got over the pain? I guess so. It was gutting but the love I've got from people has definitely helped, definitely helped to heal the wound."
Asked if it was hard for her to watch the show, she said: "No, it's fantastic, I love it, you know everybody who's in it and you are rooting for them, you're really hoping they don't fall over on stage or do anything. Every-body's been really great and the competition is crazy this year."
The teenager also confirmed that she is in discussions about several music projects.
Her mother Nokuthula Ngazana's visa application for the whole family was rejected by the Home Office, who allege she claimed £16,000 in benefits she was not entitled to for Gamu and her brothers Milton, 12, and Marty, 10.
