'X Factor' finalist quits in 'happy slapping' scandal
'X Factor' finalist Emily Nakanda pulled out of the show today after she was caught attacking a teenage girl in a "happy slapping" video.
The 15-year-old was pictured in mobile phone footage holding the girl in a headlock and pulling her hair.
Judge Sharon Osbourne, who mentors Emily on the show, said: "I am deeply saddened by this whole situation."
Stills from the footage published in The Sun newspaper showed Emily in her school uniform telling the girl she is going to rip out her hair.
The victim, identified as Anna, is told: "If it rips out I'm gonna get blood on my clothes", the paper reported.
A spokeswoman for the show 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 the family was "very disappointed" with her daughter's behaviour.
"As a family we are heartbroken and are very disappointed with Emily's behaviour. We feel that there is no choice but to withdraw Emily from the competition.
"Emily and all the family sincerely apologise to both Anna, her school and all the fans that have supported Emily. Emily regrets her actions but there is no way, as a family, we can excuse her behaviour.
"Emily is very sorry to have let the show, Sharon and the viewers down."
In another video clip earlier this week, Emily called herself "Lady Shiverz" and threatened to cut out a boy's eyes with a knife, the paper reported.
She was slammed by the judges on Saturday for her performance of the Britney Spears hit 'Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman'.
Judge Simon Cowell told her that her poor performance put her position on the show in doubt.
An 'X Factor' spokeswoman said the competition would air as usual on Saturday with one of the remaining acts evicted by phone and judge vote.
Emily was due to be singing the Bjork hit 'It's Oh So Quiet' on Saturday's show.
Bookmaker Ladbrokes said it would refund all bets on the teenager following her shock exit.
Before her departure, she was second favourite to be voted off.
Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg said: "We think the only fair thing to do, given the circumstances, is to void all bets on Emily regardless of the market.
"Regardless of the paper reports, we thought she was on borrowed time anyway."
Alisha is now the even money favourite to be the next act evicted.
Catering manager Niki Evans, 34, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, is 5/2 favourite to win the show and secure a record deal.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "The matter has not been brought to our attention."
