TRAITORS star Charlotte Chilton says she will prove that YouTube star Conor Maynard is the father of her daughter despite TWO paternity tests saying he isn’t.
In a major real-life plot twist worthy of the hit BBC show we can reveal that Charlotte now believes the DNA tests are not showing he is Penny’s father because of a rare medical condition – and her claims have been backed by research.
Charlotte Chilton broke down in tears as she spoke out about her baby’s paternity rowCredit: Darren Fletcher
Charlotte in bed with Conor Maynard after their one-night stand in January 2024Credit: Unknown
Penelope celebrated her first birthday this monthCredit: Charlotte Chilton
Charlotte, 34, has always maintained that her “miracle” little girl could only have been conceived during a one-night stand with Conor, 32, because she hadn’t slept with anybody else.
In an exclusive interview Charlotte says: “I have researched and researched trying to find the answers because I know for a fact that the only person who can be my daughter’s father is Conor Maynard.
“And finally, after speaking to experts I have found out that what might have happened is I could have been carrying twins but lost one very early.
“Then strange genetics come into play which means that twin could have taken certain DNA so her father could never show up on a paternity test. It is something called chimerism.
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“When I got told this it made some sense to me because we have twins in the family. My mum is an identical twin and my gran got pregnant with twins and lost them.
“That’s why I keep thinking, was Penny a twin or something, because twins can make a difference to the paternity result and there are generations and generations of my family with twins.”
Unsurprisingly many struggle to believe her insistence that the medical tests – which are usually more than 99.9 per cent certain – could be incorrect on two separate occasions.
But Charlotte refuses to back down and insists no other man was involved in her life at the time.
She says: “I have had so much abuse from people wondering why I am saying he is her father. I am saying it because I know it is true.
“But I’ve also had messages off people who have had DNA tests with strange results like this too. There are so many scenarios.
“I know I will get to the truth eventually – because I know the facts. I am speaking to experts to see what we can do now to prove that he is the father.
“Penny has a striking resemblance to someone that on paper is not her father. Even the day we slept together is the conception date.”
The recruitment consultant from the West Midlands met the R U Crazy star at the wrap party for The Traitors and says she conceived their daughter on January 26 last year. She gave birth in October.
She says he turned against her when she told him she was pregnant with their child, then the first DNA test in March this year confirmed that the singer was not her baby’s father. Afterwards a relieved Conor said: “I am glad that the speculation can finally be put to an end.”
The Traitors star Charlotte refuses to back down and insists no other man was involved in her life at the time she got pregnantCredit: Darren Fletcher
Charlotte says daughter Penny has a striking resemblance to ‘someone that on paper is not her father’Credit: Charlotte Chilton
Conor insists the paternity results are conclusive he is not the fatherCredit: Getty
Fans have pointed out the similarity between Penny and Conor’s sister Anna Maynard as a childCredit: X/@Jack_Maynard23
Conor shared this snap of himself at four years oldCredit: X/@ConorMaynard
However, doubts about the accuracy of the test emerged after claims the singer switched testing locations at the last minute and that an unidentified male was present when Conor’s sample was collected.
Charlotte demanded a second court-ordered DNA test to determine the parentage of the little girl – despite the original cheek swab being done in the presence of Charlotte’s own legal representative, who watched the sample being taken.
In August the second one showed again that he was not the father.
Conor, who is now engaged to Kitty Bertrand, described the results as “conclusive” and shared a video of a mock press conference to promote his new single with fake journalists asking questions such as, “Conor, how much did you pay to change your DNA?” and saying, “Come on, the baby looks just like you.”
He also opened up about going through the worst year of his life with the paternity battle’s effect on his mental health, adding: “I was instantly painted as a dead-beat dad.”
Conor filmed a mock press conference to promote his new singleCredit: conormaynard/Instagram
But now the paternity battle could rumble on if Charlotte is able to force him to have further tests to prove what she says is the truth.
She told us: “I’ve gone absolutely insane trying to find a logical explanation.
“No one would ever put themselves through this if they were lying. I won’t give up.
“Imagine knowing that you are telling the truth and how frustrating and upsetting it is knowing I’ve got nothing I can do to prove there was no one else. I’ve only got my word.
“It has nearly destroyed me.
I can categorically say it is impossible that Conor is not the dad.”
Charlotte Chilton
“It is making me look like a liar and humiliating me and my daughter. It is horrible.
“I’m not saying he’s done something wrong, but it makes you question everything.
“I can categorically say it is impossible that Conor is not the dad. There is nobody else that Penelope could have come from.
“Why would I double down on a second test? Why would I put myself through this?
“Who in their right mind would want to go through what I’ve gone through and what I’m currently going through now?”
EXPERT VIEW
GP HELEN WALL gives her expert view on paternity tests.
“Modern DNA tests are incredibly accurate, usually more than 99.9 per cent certain so it’s very rare for them to get it wrong.
“But errors can happen if samples are mixed up or taken incorrectly, or in the rarest cases when someone’s genetics aren’t straightforward, like having two sets of DNA (chimerism) because of a vanished twin in the womb.
“One study found vanishing twin syndromes occurs in around 36 per cent of twin pregnancies and it’s more likely if the conception was via IVF.
“Chimerism can happen when a mum is pregnant with twins and if an embryo dies, the other baby could absorb the deceased twin’s cells.
“The surviving twin would then have two distinct sets of DNA. It usually happens in the first trimester and whilst there may be light bleeding or cramping, the mother may be unaware it happened.
“It is believed to be quite rare with only 100 cases ever recorded. So while it’s not impossible, it’s highly unlikely both DNA tests are wrong.
“Further tests involve testing DNA from multiple, different tissue samples from the father, such as both blood and saliva or skin swabs, as different parts of the body may contain distinct genetic profiles.
“A forensic lab using more sensitive techniques may be required for clear results.”
Charlotte starred in The Traitors series twoCredit: Unknown
The 34-year-old met Conor at a champagne-fuelled wrap party for The TraitorsCredit: Instagram
The pressure has been so immense that Charlotte, who was banished in episode nine of the second series in January 2024, admits to being suicidal.
Fighting back tears she says: “I felt battered and just thought, ‘I can’t do this anymore’.
“I had all these people telling me I’m a terrible mum, I am a liar and don’t deserve to have her – that social services should be taking her away from me.
“All the noise got in my head and I said to my mum, ‘Don’t leave me because I feel like I might do something stupid’.
“All I could think was, ‘How do I carry on and hold my head up when I haven’t got anything else to give?’”
Charlotte now insists she’s in a “good place” – and is even going back to university, with hopes of becoming a forensic psychologist.
She says: “I had a lot of guilt over Penny at first knowing this has been so public, but I have stuck to the truth.
“The lesson for her will be that I’ve stood up to the bully and been punched a few times, but it’s not going to define me and it’s not going to stop me from speaking the truth, not my truth. The truth.
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“I hope that when she’s old enough to understand that, she can see that I am a strong woman that will not be intimidated by anybody. Even if the world goes against you, even if it seems like you’re the only voice in the room, I’m not rolling over and being bullied.
“This isn’t over and I’m going to be doing my detective work. Everything in the dark will come to light.”
Conor with his new fiancee Kitty Bertrand and their dogCredit: Instagram / conormaynard
Pregnant Charlotte pictured in June 2024Credit: Dan Charity
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
