I’ve often sat and wondered whether shows like “The X Factor” were contrived off set. Do the judges and producers get together in a small comfortable room, glass of wine in hand and discuss the show before it airs?

There have always been controversies, shock eliminations and judges deciding to vote off a contestant for inane reasons but for me, Gamu’s omission from the final 12 has to be one of the very worse.

Who could forget Dannii Minogue’s comment on Danyl Johnson’s sexuality, footage of Simon Cowell and Osbourne to coach the contestants to argue with the judges, Osbourne and Walsh with tactical voting (no shock there) and Walsh threatening to walk out after Osbourne threw a glass of water over the leprechaun – publicity stunt anyone?!

It’s all about ratings and with Strictly doing well (despite Alesha Dixon!), it’s obvious the producers will do anything to keep people watching.

How can a singer, arguably one of the best in the competition, be left out of the final 12? Although I have a great deal of admiration for Cher Lloyd, both she and Katie Weissels performed poorly in the final audition. A Facebook campaign to reinstate Gamu is available for those who wish to complain!

Gamu Nhengu

It often amuses me how the judges claim during a live show sing off “I’m going to judge it on this one performance” – so what happened Cheryl? Were you nobbled? Were you told not to include Gamu in your top 3?

A source said: “It was made clear Gamu shouldn’t go through because of the visa. Cheryl didn’t have a say.”

Hundreds of viewers complained to ITV at the axing. The Mirror Reports

On Sunday, more than 16.2 million viewers – a record for this stage of The X Factor – saw Cheryl put through 24-year-old Katie Waissel, Cher Lloyd, 17 – despite their dodgy performances – and Rebecca Ferguson, 24.

Is this a political move by a higher power? You have to ask these questions, Gamu is from a country that is for all intents and purposes persona non grata – a corrupt Government and a ruthless dictator – is this political? Problems over her visa? That never stopped Makosi from Big Brother did it?!

For me, Gamu was and is the best female singer of 2010’s X Factor, faultless performances and a likeable personality – who’s going to vote for Katie “Cry Me A River” Weissels – it’s all drama with that one.

Rumours circulating that Gamu will not be given a Wild Card entry when the X Factor announce the “Big Twist” on Saturday. If this is the case then the show immediately loses any credibility it had. Shocking decision producers, shocking.