Gamu Nhengu: 'I'm getting over my X Factor pain'

Gamu Nhengu: 'I'm getting over my X Factor pain'
Gamu Nhengu: 'I'm getting over my X Factor pain' (Image credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

X Factor reject Gamu Nhengu has said that she is over the pain of being kicked off the ITV talent show. The 18-year-old - who awaits news of whether she will be deported to her native Zimbabwe - spoke out as she made a special guest appearance at the 15th annual Mobo awards. The singer, who stole hearts in the early X Factor rounds with her quirky performances, spoke of her torment after judge Cheryl Cole chose not to send her through to the live stages. Saying that she is currently discussing new music projects, Gamu said: "Have I got over the pain? I guess so. The papers don't let me forget it much. "It was gutting but the love I've got from people has definitely helped, definitely helped to heal the wound." She denied it was difficult still watching the show, adding: "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. "Everybody's been really great and the competition is crazy this year." The teenager might still be deported to her native Zimbabwe and is battling to stay in Britain. Asked if issues about her visa to stay had been resolved, she answered: "It's still a little up in the air, we don't know what's happening and haven't had any contact yet.

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.