Simon Cowell has drafted in his lawyers to help Gamu Nhengu stay in the UK.  The 18-year-old singer is set to be deported back to Zimbabwe after her mother's visa application was turned down.

Cowell said today: "We are helping Gamu and her family as much as possible and have lawyers working with her lawyers, not because we have to - but because I really feel for their situation, and that's outside of the show."

Nhengu lives in Scotland and said: "I genuinely fear for my life if we are forced to go back. I love the UK and want to stay here." She has spent the last five years in the UK.

The first live show at 7.40pm on ITV1 will see the final 12 perform and the phonelines open for the public to deliver their verdict. 

Watch Nhengu's first X Factor audition below: