Simon Cowell has vowed to help an 18-year-old "The X Factor" contestant fight her deportation from Scotland to Zimbabwe.

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Cowell has summoned his attorneys to come to the aid of Gamu Nhengu and her family, who were told they would have to return to Africa after her mother's visa application was rejected, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.

"We are helping Gamu and her family as much as possible and have lawyers working with her lawyers. It's not because we have to but because I really feel for their situation, and that's outside of the show," Cowell told The Sun after Nhengu was eliminated from the talent contest last weekend.

An "X Factor" producer has been appointed to look out for the family while Cowell's attorneys advise them on submitting an appeal to a tribunal in Glasgow.

A spokesman for the Home Office told the Telegraph Cowell's involvement does not change the government's position.