X Factor is gripped by Tillicoultry fever as neighbours take to streets in support of Gamu

NOT since the Queen paid a visit to the former coaltown in 1963, has Tillicoultry attracted such media attention.

• Crowds gather outside the Tillicoultry home of Gamu Nhengu, the Zimbabwe-born teenager who was an X Factor hit but now faces being deported. Picture: Getty

Last night the small Clackmannanshire town was brought to a standstill, with dozens of residents taking to the streets in hopes of catching a glimpse of X Factor judges Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell.

Supporters waving flags and placards gathered outside the home of Gamu Nhengu, the X Factor contestant who is now facing deportation from the UK.

The streets were besieged by fans and a media scrum after it emerged the Zimbabwean contestant must return to her homeland.

Rumours were circulating that X Factor judges were to be helicoptered in to meet with the 18-year-old, as fans joined dozens of journalists at her home, forcing police to close off a road. Last night an estimated crowd of more than 100 supporters had congregated outside the girl's home in central Scotland.

• Gamu Nhengu on the X Factor

Lynn Blackshields, 40, a registered childminder, said: "Feelings are running very high. There is a strong sense of community here and everyone is very positive about the family.

"This wasn't an organised protest. It came from people's feelings because turning up and standing there is the only thing ordinary people can do to show their support."

Paul-Allen Coyle, 10, a primary six pupil at Tillicoultry primary school, who joined the protest with his older sister and mother, said: "I went to the protest because I'm very good friends with Gamu's family and play with her brothers.

"It would be a shame to see them go.

"I've never seen so many people in one street. It was immense. The atmosphere was great with everyone shouting 'Go Gamu'. You could see how everyone loved Gamu.

"We hope the Home Office will change their minds when they see on the television how many people turned out to protest."

Even politicians took up the cause and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore was urged to intervene. Labour MP Gordon Banks said Mr Moore should "bang heads together" and take a personal look at the situation faced by Ms Nhengu, who is one of his constituents.

The teenage contestant, who narrowly missed out on a place in the live finals, faces removal from the UK. Ms Nhengu, who is originally from Zimbabwe, was controversially eliminated from the ITV show on Sunday, despite being a huge hit with fans,

Immigration officials have confirmed that her mother, Nokuthula Ngazana, had been refused permission to stay in the UK after her visa expired in August.

Gamu was allowed to stay in the country as a dependent while her mother studied at university.But her visa has expired and the family's application to remain was rejected, as the Home Office said they did not meet the criteria required to stay.

It has been alleged that the teenager's expulsion by Ms Cole was due to intervention by the government's border officials. The family do not have a right to appeal and the singer cannot apply separately to remain, though it is understood the family's lawyers are considering seeking a judicial review.

Last night Robina Qureshi, Scottish human rights campaigner and director of the charity Positive Action in Housing, said: "If this country stands for anything, then the immigration minister should overturn the decision - in the name of fairness."

A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "Ms Ngazana's application was refused as it did not meet all of the conditions for approval. Her family, who had applied as her dependents, were therefore also refused."