Producers of the show, a spin-off of the hugely successful "American Idol," said the singer they identified only as "Georgina" had been asked to leave the show because they thought it would be too stressful.

"NZ Idol can be an intense experience and we do not wish to cause undue stress to Georgina and her unborn child," producers South Pacific Pictures and TVNZ said in a statement.

"Georgina" had reached the final 18 round of the show, in its third season, and would be offered a "golden ticket" to the same stage if a fourth season is held and she is fit to compete, they said.

The New Zealand newspaper The Dominion Post and Web site stuff (www.stuff.co.nz) identified "Georgina" as 25-year-old Horiana Patea, who they said was convicted of aggravated assault and burglary in 2003.

The Dominion Post quoted a TVNZ spokesman as saying the television station and South Pacific Pictures were aware of the criminal convictions.

"Everyone gets a second chance," it quoted spokesman Tim Aitken as saying.