X Factor's Emily Nakanda departs show

2 November 2007 - X Factor finalist Emily Nakanda has decided to leave the talent show after a happy slapping video of her appeared online.

The footage showed the 15-year-old singer dressed in her school uniform grabbing a blonde girl by the hair, putting her into a headlock, punching her and shoving her to the ground.

An X Factor spokesperson said: "In response to the stories in the papers this week regarding Emily Nakanda we have conducted our own investigations into the matter and we can confirm that she has chosen to withdraw herself from the competition with immediate effect."

Emily's mother Louis Friberg said that the family was "heartbroken" about the incident and "disappointed with Emily's behaviour". She added that "there is no choice" but for the girl to quit the programme.

The video comes after the Sun reported that Emily was filmed threatening to cut out a boy's eyes with a knife in a separate video.

Sharon Osbourne, Emily's X Factor mentor, said that she was "deeply saddened" by the situation.

Meanwhile, the remaining contestants on the popular talent contest are currently preparing for the upcoming Big Bands theme of the next episode.

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