Gamu Nhengu has won her fight against deportation and will be permitted to live in the UK.

The former X Factor contestant were originally told by the Home Office that they would be deported to Zimbabwe earlier this year, but won a later appeal.

Now, the Home Office has failed in its own appeal to overturn the decision and it has been confirmed that the young singer, her mother and her brother will be allowed to stay in their Scottish home.

The Nhengu family lawyer said in a statement: “This has come after such a long ordeal. The Home Office has a last resort appeal right to the Court of Session, but I hope they respect the judgment made today.

“My client has been granted leave to remain in the UK so now she and her family are able to get on with their lives and put this behind them.”

A UK Borders Agency spokesman commented: “We are disappointed with the court’s decision in this case and will be looking closely at the judgement.

“The UK Border Agency considers every case carefully and where we do not believe someone has the right to stay in the country, and they do not require our protection, we expect them to return home.”

Gamu failed to make the X Factor live shows last year, after Cheryl Cole chose to take Katie Waissel and Cher Lloyd instead.

She hit the headlines again earlier this month, when Simon Cowell ripped off her version of ‘Walking On Sunshine’ on his US X Factor series.