Cheryl Cole was last night forced into a humiliating climbdown over claims she was told to axe Gamu Nhengu.
X Factor bosses demanded she accept responsibility for booting the singer off.
One source said: "Cheryl has been really brave and stood up to Simon Cowell and ITV but they got to her in the end. She didn't have much choice but to stand down.
"It had got to the point where the speculation could damage the X Factor brand, and that is what angered Simon."
Cheryl, 27, had claimed she was told to axe the 18-year-old Zimbabwean star because of visa problems.
But she said last night: "The three girls I have chosen to go to the final were chosen by me.
"I was not aware of Gamu's situation outside the show but I must stress it did not have any influence over my choice."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv-entertain...5875-22620450/
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