Simon Cowell rips off Gamu Nhengu’s version of Walking On Sunshine

X-Factor fans have accused Simon Cowell of ripping off Gamu Nhengu's version of a Katrina And The Waves song for his X Factor USA contestant Rachel Crow. Last year, Gamu, 20, performed a memorable version of 'Walking On Sunshine' which she changed to 'You Are My Sunshine' in front of X Factor UK judges including Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Geri Halliwell and Louis Walsh.

And this week on X Factor USA, Cowell who on hearing Gamu’s version admitted he wasn’t a fan of the song, gave the song to his 13-year-old protégé Rachel Crow to sing - complete with Gamu’s re-written lyric. After giving a spirited performance, judge Nicole Scherzinger praised Rachel’s performance but she added: 'I don’t know about the lyric change, I don’t know what your mentor was thinking when he done the lyric change.'

To which Simon replied, taking full credit for the new version: 'It’s called being inventive darling.' After watching Gamu’s performance back in 2010, Simon said: 'You sang one of my worst songs ever but you did something different with it and I really really like you.' And Cheryl echoed: 'Gamu you’ve got such a lovely little spirit and you stood in that same spot, yet you still made me excited.' 

She received four yes’s to get her through to boot camp before Cole made the controversial decision to send her home at the Judge’s Houses stage. While the US judges were none the wiser, plenty of UK fans were quick to notice and left many comments underneath YouTube video of Rachel’s performance. One wrote: 'Poor Gamu. What a rip off!!!'

While another said: 'It's called being inventive.... it's called being shady and stealing from another contestant.' And the highest rated comment condemned Cowell saying: 'Being inventive is not taking a version from a British contestant and not giving her any credit.' Gamu was the Zimbabwean-born singer who was at the centre of controversy after Cole chose to take through Katie Waissel to the live shows instead of the teenager, who many fans of the show considered to be more talented.

Over 100,000 Facebook fans signed a petition in her favour and Cole was widely vilified for her decision. Gamu, later faced deportation woes after her mother was accused of outstaying her visa, but last May the whole family was given leave to stay in the UK.