X Factor contestant Gamu Nhengu and her family are “hopeful”
they will be allowed to remain in the UK after the Home Office decided
to review her case.
Eighteen-year-old Gamu went to an immigration tribunal in Glasgow with her mother and two brothers to appeal against moves to return them to their native Zimbabwe.
Earlier in the year, Gamu, rejected at the final stage of X Factor auditons by Cheryl Cole, was told she must go back because her mother Nokuthula Ngazana’s visa application was turned down.
The decision came amid allegations, denied by the family, that Ms Ngazana had wrongly claimed working tax credits.
But at the latest hearing, a Home Office representative said the case would be reconsidered and a “fresh decision will be made in due course”.
The family’s lawyer Frances Farrell said: “The family are pleased that the Home Office have withdrawn their decisions and decided to reconsider my clients’ cases. The family are hopeful that they will now be granted leave to remain in the UK. They want to thank everyone for all the wonderful support they have had.”
Amongst all that, Gamu could be taking on X Factor in the charts
after recording a Christmas single.
She lent her voice to children’s charity Aberlour’s version
of Where Will You Sleep This Christmas? in a bid to beat the X Factor
winner’s single to the festive number one spot.
The track, written by Gamu’s former music teacher David Clifford, will be
released on December 13.
Last year’s winner, Joe McElderry, missed out on the Christmas number one with The Climb, after being outsold by LA rock band Rage Against The
Machine.
