X Factor judge Cheryl Cole visits home of 'wild card' Treyc... while fans gather at Gamu's house to support her

By SARA NATHAN and JACK DOYLE

End of Gamu's hopes: Cheryl Cole meets a fan outside her 'wild card' Treyc Cohen's house in Tamworth, Staffordshire


Cheryl visits home of other suspected 'wild card'

Border agency decided yesterday family must go home to Zimbabwe

Mother's benefit claims broke rules of immigration visa - and there is no right of appeal

Police probe death threats made to Cheryl Cole over controversy

Gamu Nhengu has had the final nailed hammered into the coffin of her X Factor ambitions with the revelation that Cheryl Cole has already visited the house of her chosen 'wild card' contestant.

Photos have emerged today of the judge being filmed at Treyc Cohen's house in Tamworth, Staffordshire, on Sunday night - at the same time the nation learned that Gamu had been given the boot by the Girls Aloud star.

Tamworth girl Treyc was also axed - but with Zimbabwe-born Gamu ordered out of the UK by authorities after her mother breached visa conditions, it's the Midlands singer who is set to return to the live finals in a new twist.


Giveaway: X Factor judge Cheryl and the show's camera crew were spotted on Sunday night


Last chance: Cheryl was visiting Treyc in her Midlands hometown


Outraged fans gathered outside Gamu's modest family home to show their support today, as she faced up to a future without her dream – and without her school friends too.

They carried banners reading 'we love you Gamu' in support of the 18-year-old singer, who was told on Sunday that she had missed out on a place in the live finals of the ITV talent show.

Yesterday she was told she must leave Britain altogether. Her family have just days to return to their home country of Zimbabwe – or face deportation.


The final blow: Gamu Nhengu has been ordered to return to Zimbabwe after the family's visa application was refused by immigration officials


Local support: Fans gathered today outside the Scottish flat where Gamu lives with her family


Growing crowds: Locals and schoolchildren headed down to see the media and camera crews outside Gamu's house
It is a bitter blow for Miss Nhengu, who appeared so carefree when she posed with a group of girls before a ball in July.


She had proved popular with X Factor fans, who were outraged that she was excluded.
Speaking out for the first time since Sunday's show, she said yesterday: 'Thank you so much to everyone. I'm overwhelmed by the support. The whole experience has been amazing and I'm doing fine.

'I've been overwhelmed by the response.'

ITV received 600 complaints after the Mail revealed how judge Cheryl Cole was told by producers not to pick the singer because of doubts over her immigration status.


Causing a stir: Locals crowded the streets to watch the media storm outside their houses


Police presence: Officers ensured calm outside Gamu's modest family home


Yesterday, thousands of viewers even threatened to boycott the show’s lucrative voting phone lines unless she was brought back on the show.

However, immigration officials claimed that her mother, Nokuthula Ngazana, had received thousands of pounds worth of benefits while working as a nurse.
Miss Ngazana, 38, is believed to have claimed child tax credit and working tax credit during her eight-year stay in the UK.

Under immigration rules, she is not allowed to have access to benefits and must support herself and her family on her own.


ITV received 600 complaints after the Mail revealed how judge Cheryl Cole was told by producers not to pick the singer because of doubts over her immigration status


Furthermore, the family have no right of appeal and Miss Nhengu cannot apply for a visa just for herself.

The singer moved to Scotland with her two brothers, 11 and nine, after their mother began studying at Stirling University and qualified as a nurse.

Her mother was allowed to stay in the UK under the Fresh Talent scheme and had the right to stay – until August 29. Her children were allowed to stay as their mother’s dependants.


Gamu's photo album: The singer pictured joking with a friend in July


Star quality: A glamorous Gamu poses with friends as they prepare to go to a dance in July


Toasting success: The ambitious teen has long been dreaming of making it to the X Factor final


The family, who live in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, reapplied to stay in the UK in August and up until yesterday, they were waiting to hear the outcome.


Facing deportation: Gamu's mother Nokuthula has been working as a nurse after training at Stirling University


The UK Border Agency told the Mail: ‘The applications made by Miss Ngazana and her family were considered in line with the published immigration rules.

‘Miss Ngazana’s application was refused as it did not meet all of the conditions for approval. Her family, who had applied as her dependants, were therefore also refused.
‘Where people are found to have no right to remain in the UK we expect them to leave voluntarily.’

Even before that decision, X Factor bosses had no plans to bring Miss Nhengu back to the show.

Mrs Cole, 27, was said to be ‘really, really upset’ after fans lashed out at her for not picking Miss Nhengu as one of her three finalists.

She felt unfairly targeted as she was also advised not to pick the hopeful as her ‘wild card’ entry to join the live finals on Saturday.

Instead, Mrs Cole has picked call centre worker Treyc Cohen, who auditioned for the X Factor last year, but was rejected by Simon Cowell.

On Saturday, 12 finalists and the wild card contestants will perform live for the first time in front of a TV audience of millions. It will be the public’s first chance to vote for their favourites.

Yesterday, on social networking sites, fans began to encourage others not to vote for two of Mrs Cole’s finalists, Katie Waissell, 24, and Cher Lloyd, 17.


Wild card woes: Gamu has lost out on the chance of a recall to Treyc Cohen


Meanwhile, Scotland Yard and X Factor bosses were last night said to be investigating death threats levelled at Cheryl over the controversy.

According to the Sun, one threat carried the warning: 'Every1 has a bullet for you' and continued that the singer had made 'the biggest mistake of her life'.

The message, sent from Tottenham, north London, and sent out across the UK via Blackberry Messenger, continued that if he couldn't get to Cheryl, he would 'bang drop' any girl he finds with the same name.

The message - signed off with the street name Supa Capone - ends with the words 'Find Me'.

In August, a man was jailed for levelling another death threat at the singer.

Alan Linton, 32, also threatened to blow up a football stadium and admitted threatening to carry out a terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport and to kill young girls in a primary school.

He was jailed for two years.


source :dailymail