Reality television star Charlotte Chilton, famed for her appearance on The Traitors, has announced she is stepping away from social media, citing the immense mental toll of her protracted paternity dispute with singer Conor Maynard.
The Paternity Dispute Unfolds
The 32-year-old star initially claimed in June last year that Maynard, also 32, was the father of her unborn child. Chilton stated she fell pregnant after a one-night stand and later welcomed her daughter, Penelope, who is now 13 months old.
However, the situation quickly grew complex. Two separate paternity tests have since concluded that Conor Maynard is not the biological father. Despite these scientific results, Charlotte Chilton has remained steadfast in her assertion that the singer is the dad, publicly insisting the tests are incorrect.
New Allegations and Denials
The plot thickened last week when it was alleged by Conor Maynard that Chilton had also been intimate with her Traitors co-star, Jonny Holloway, suggesting he could potentially be the father. Chilton vehemently denied this, stating that Conor Maynard was her only romantic partner at the relevant time.
In a lengthy Instagram statement on Monday, Chilton opened up about the ordeal. She wrote that her motivation has always been about her daughter's right to an accurate birth certificate and an understanding of her medical heritage, emphatically denying any pursuit of money or fame.
"For my own well-being and most importantly for the protection of my daughter," she declared, "I will not allow myself or my daughter to be used for anyone's personal gain." She expressed gratitude to her supporters but indicated a necessary retreat from the online sphere for her mental health.
A Third Voice Enters the Fray
Adding another layer to the saga, Jonny Holloway has now broken his silence. In a social media video, the former army veteran, who served in Afghanistan, described feeling "mentally weak" and claimed the recent events have been harder on him than his military experiences.
He spoke of family divides and children being "essentially taken away from me," though he did not explicitly confirm or deny an intimate relationship with Chilton. He did, however, state that he has "never cheated on his now ex-wife." Holloway promised that "the truth will come out" and signalled his intention to tell his own story soon.
Meanwhile, Conor Maynard, who recently announced his engagement to girlfriend Kitty Bertrand, has attempted to distance himself from the public dispute, previously urging for kindness given a child is at the heart of the matter.
