Conor Maynard speaks out on paternity scandal in new TV interview
Conor Maynard has finally broken his silence in his first TV interview since his shock paternity scandal.
Earlier this year the star claimed that he had taken a paternity test that proved he's not the father of a star of the Traitors' baby.
Charlotte Chilton made the bombshell claim in June of last year, saying that Conor was the father of her 'miracle' baby — having previously suffered several IVF miscarriages with her ex-wife. Conor Maynard has finally broken his silence in his first TV interview since his shock paternity scandal. Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock
The baby girl, named Penelope, has since been born — with Conor 'ghosting' Charlotte and denying that he's the father. But now, Conor has said that he took a paternity test to confirm that he is indeed not the father.
The 32-year-old singer appeared on ITV's This Morning on Friday, opening up to hosts Alison Hammond and Paddy McGuinness about the scandal.
'It was difficult to remain silent,' he began. Earlier this year the star claimed that he had taken a paternity test that proved he's not the father of a star of the Traitors' baby. Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock
'I was instantly painted as a dead-beat dad. My comments on my social media were all about that.'
When asked why he chose to speak out now, he continued: 'Realistically, one of the main reasons is, now is the right time.
'As you said, the last year has been really difficult and mental health is something I have struggled with for a huge portion of my life. The baby girl, named Penelope, has since been born — with Conor 'ghosting' Charlotte and denying that he's the father. But now, Conor has said that he took a paternity test to confirm that he is indeed not the father. Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock
'And this year has been up there with my battle with it. There have been a lot of things that have happened and a lot of things that contributed to why it has been so difficult.
When asked how it felt to discover the paternity, he added: 'Well funnily enough it wasn't an instant relief. I actually thought I was going to have a massive panic attack the second I found out.
'I think initially a lot of my friends were like, do you want to grab a drink, do something, hang out near your house and we can just talk. I didn't. I just stayed at home with my girlfriend and I tried to stay calm and have a relaxed night. Charlotte Chilton made the bombshell claim in June of last year, saying that Conor was the father of her 'miracle' baby — having previously suffered several IVF miscarriages with her ex-wife. Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
'It was more confusion not really understanding and feeling like, why did that all have to happen?
'A lot of us had kind of accepted that this had happened and this was the life we were preparing for. So when the result came in I can't even begin to explain to you the feeling,' he concluded.
Charlotte made the bombshell claim shortly after the birth of Penelope, telling OK! magazine that 'he knows' she gave birth. I've not heard anything, I had real torment over whether to contact him when she was here or not.
'And I figured I don't want to speak to him, but he has a right to know. I knew if I didn't reach out people would say I hadn't bothered,' Charlotte added, saying that she also had post-birth anxiety about the alleged resemblance between Penelope and Conor.
'There have been days where I've been in tears because I'm sitting here thinking 'I've got a daughter that looks f***ing identical to you [Conor]'… If [Penelope] wants to walk away from him, that's fine, but she needs to make that decision for herself when she's older, I'm not going to deny her contact if he decides he wants to see her.'
Charlotte appeared on The Traitors in 2024, where she was banished in episode nine. She first met Conor after the show's winner Harry Clarke — who was dating Conor's sister Anna — introduced them at a wrap party.
Charlotte announced her pregnancy in April, and split from her then-wife Laura — claiming Conor was the father in June.
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