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"Cheryl Cole has claimed sole responsibility for the decision to eliminate Gamu Nhengu from The X Factor.  In a public statement issued yesterday, the Girls Aloud singer denied claims that she had been pressured to axe the popular contestant over ongoing visa issues, insisting that she hadn&amp;#039;t even been informed of Nhengu&amp;#039;s situation at the time. The Daily Mail quotes Cole as saying: &amp;quot;The three girls I have chosen to take through to the live shows were chosen by me and [guest judge Will.I.Am] and the final choice [is always] my decision.  &amp;quot;I was not aware of Gamu\u2019s situation outside of the competition and I am incredibly sad for both her and her family.&amp;quot; Cole&amp;#039;s claims were echoed in a separate statement from Simon Cowell, who denied reports that the two judges have blamed each other for the furore surrounding Nhengu&amp;#039;s exit. &amp;quot;No, Cheryl and I haven\u2019t had a fight... yet!&amp;quot; he quipped. &amp;quot;And I certainly couldn\u2019t tell her what to do even if I wanted to.&amp;quot; Cole and Cowell are expected to address the controversial decision during tonight&amp;#039;s specially extended live show.  Brian Friedman: &amp;#039;Gamu axe was all Cheryl&amp;#039; "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/the-x-factor/news/a281239/cole-claims-responsibility-for-gamu-exit/>