X Factor reject Gamu Nhengu is told: Leave the country now or you’ll be deported

Rejected X Factor contestant Gamu Nhengu must now leave Britain voluntarily or face deportation, the UK Border Agency warned today.

The Zimbabwe-born 18-year-old was allowed to stay in the country as a dependant while her mother Nokuthula Ngazana studied at university.

But the visa has run out and the family's application to remain has been rejected, as they did not meet all the Home Office's criteria.

Nhengu was a favourite to win the competition and the show faced a huge backlash after judge Cheryl Cole did not pick her for the live finals, which begin on Saturday. Instead, Cole chose to take Katie Waissel, Cher Lloyd and Rebecca Ferguson through to the next stage.

A Home Office spokesman said the decision to axe her from the X Factor was the "business" of the ITV1 show. He could not say whether the omission by Cole had been decided after talks between immigration staff and the programme's bosses.

Officials are now speaking to Nhengu and her family, who arrived in Scotland from Zimbabwe five years ago. They do not have right of appeal and the singer cannot apply separately to remain here.

A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "The applications made by Ms Ngazana and her family were considered in line with published immigration rules. Ms 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."

More than 210,000 fans have signed up to Facebook page Gamu Should Have Got Through. Former X Factor star Stacey Solomon said: "I think she should get a second chance, everyone thinks it. Everyone loves her, she was brilliant." At least one rejected contestant will be given a lifeline as a wild card on Saturday. This week the Standard reported that Cole and a camera crew were spotted in Tamworth, the hometown of contestant Treyc Cohen, who is now tipped for a recall.

Programme bosses have denied Cole was influenced by fears over the visa. A spokeswoman for the show said: "Gamu's visa being processed was not the reason she didn't make the final 12."

Bookmakers appear to think she will get a second chance: Paddy Power is offering 11-2 on her winning the show, compared with 18-1 for Waissel. Matt Cardle is favourite at 11-4.