Tulisa was photographed making the 'C' symbol, which is used by north London gang Crime Scene Boys

The rap world and family show The X Factor don't easily go hand in hand, and Tulisa is clearly finding it a little tricky to walk the line.

The singer has found herself in trouble after she was pictured using a well-known street gang sign while shooting a music video on Sunday night,

Tulisa was photographed making the 'C' symbol, which is used by north London gang  Crime Scene Boys, who also go by the Church Road Soldiers.

'It was a tribute to Camden': Tulisa has been left red-faced after being ridiculed for using a well-known gang sign while shooting a music video

Denial: The singer alleges that she had no idea the 'C' sign was associated with a street gang

The 23-year-old denies all knowledge of what the sign means, despite the music video shoot taking place on the Church End Estate in Harlesden, where the gang are based.

 Also on set was rapper Nines, who frequently throws up the 'C' sign in his own music videos.

Tulisa is pictured wearing tiny denim shorts, heeled trainers, a white hoodie and a thick gold chain, dancing in front of a car surrounded by a crowd.

Collaboration: Tulisa's new track features the rapper Nines

Night shoot: The video was filmed on the Church End Estate in Harlesden, where the Crime Scene Boys are based

Tulisa claims that she used the symbol to pay tribute to Camden, where she grew up.

But onlookers at the late-night shoot have a different story, telling The Sun: 'She was strutting around throwing gang signs and hanging around outside the blocks of flats.

'She was swearing and trying to fit in with the other people who were around her from the estate.

In trouble with the bosses? The X Factor have yet to comment on the controversy

Tulisa is adamant that she was not trying to fit in, and is maintaining her new cleaner-cut X Factor image.

'When I was holding my hands in the C sign, this was as a tribute to Camden, my home town and where N-Dubz began,' she said in a statement.

'I am not aware that this sign has anything to with any street gang and I 100 per cent do not endorse any gang violence in any form.'