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Charlotte Chilton has opened up about the financial hardships she faces as a single mother after welcoming a daughter she says was fathered by Conor Maynard.
The Traitors star, 32, revealed the singer, also 32, has yet to meet their 10-week-old daughter, claiming he ghosted her after finding out she was pregnant and has refused to acknowledge baby Penelope as his own.
She announced in June that Conor was the father of her unborn 'miracle' baby, having fallen pregnant as the result of an one night stand, after she suffered seven miscarriages undergoing IVF with her ex-wife.
In an exclusive chat with MailOnline, Charlotte explained not just the mental but practical implications of the fallout, confessing she's been forced to work around the clock as a new mum just to make ends meet.
Charlotte - who has launched her recruitment consultancy business - explained: 'You struggle financially to make ends start in a new business.
'You don't take a salary very often in your first year - and I'm trying to do this whilst I've got a newborn baby - do you look after a newborn and do recruitment? It's very difficult to manage.'
Charlotte Chilton has opened up about financial hardships she faces as a single mother after welcoming 10-week-old baby daughter Penelope she says was fathered by Conor Maynard
Conor, 32, has yet to meet their 10-week-old daughter, with Charlotte claiming he ghosted her after finding out she was pregnant and refusing to acknowledge baby Penelope as his own
Charlotte continued: 'Penelope has got everything she needs don't get me wrong, she's got nice clothes, we're booked into baby massage, she's learning to swim, but that's because I put her first. I go without so she can have these things.
'If someone else were to chip in, what else could I provide for her? What else could I do? Be a mum who's present instead of a mum that's working every hour and is exhausted all the time because she's trying to make ends meet.'
Charlotte - who recently moved back in with her parents - went on: 'All my friends and family break their backs to offer us support.
'Whether it's been staying with my parents while I save to buy a property, or them paying bills at some point - honestly, it's been that tough.
'Or friends taking her off my hands for the day so I can go to client meetings because I can't afford childcare.'
Charlotte has been vocal about Conor's lack of involvement in their lives, saying at the time of her pregnancy reveal: 'She [Penelope] is not a dirty secret and I won’t be silenced.’
On Monday, Conor broke a month-long social media silence to claim a previously undisclosed battle with anxiety was the cause for his sudden silence.
The singer begged Instagram followers for advice as he weighed up the possibility of using prescribed medication to alleviate his symptoms.
The following day, Charlotte appeared to take a dig at Conor as she used her social media to share a photo of a sertraline box, writing: '100mg for the last year, going strong.'
Sertraline - also sold under the name Zoloft - is a commonly prescribed anti-depressant that can also be used to treat anxiety disorders.
Charlotte has been vocal about Conor's lack of involvement in their lives, saying at the time of her pregnancy reveal: 'She [Penelope] is not a dirty secret and I won’t be silenced’
On Monday, Conor broke a month-long social media silence to claim a previously undisclosed battle with anxiety was the cause for his sudden silence
The following day, Charlotte appeared to take a dig at Conor as she used her social media to share a photo of a sertraline box, writing: '100mg for the last year, going strong'
Speaking about the impact her fallout with Conor has had on her mental health, Charlotte revealed: 'It's made me feel worthless and it took a lot to build myself back up.
'I was asked to do projects and brand deals but I didn't have it in me to do that so he's lost me money as well! I'm also paying for therapy - another added cost.
'It feels like he cost me my life but I'm rebuilding it and with a really good purpose and focus. I really want to be an advocate for women that are being treated unfairly and for kids that are not being loved or looked after.'
Charlotte found fame on season two of The Traitors - which was won by Harry Clark - who introduced Charlotte to Conor at the show's wrap party.
Harry is dating Conor's sister Anna Maynard, and was previously said to 'not be taking sides' in their row.
Yet Charlotte has told how Harry abruptly stopped talking to her following her pregnancy news and even left The Traitors' cast Whatsapp group.
'I'm so angry at Harry because why the hell did you set me up with this absolute scum?' she fumed. 'But nevertheless, I have got the most gorgeous daughter out of it.'
Harry walked away with the prize fund of £95,150 after successfully tricking his fellow contestants into thinking that he was Faithful, when he was in fact, a Traitor.
It's a sum that would change Charlotte's life.
Charlotte found fame on season two of The Traitors, which was won by Harry Clark who pocketed £95,150, and then introduced Charlotte to Conor at the show's wrap party
Asked what she would do if she had won the prize, Charlotte mused: 'Now I've got Penelope I'd buy a house, book some holidays, I would love to take her travelling.
'I would give my mum some money to treat herself because she's been so awesome, I'd do something cool with my family for sure. I also want a really big tattoo on my back!
'The rest would just be put put aside for a rainy day because this time last year I was separated from my partner; told by doctors we can't have kids; and I was about to be on The Traitors - a show that I had no idea was going to be this big.
'Here I am now with a baby that I never thought I'd have, living in a completely different location, doing completely different things work wise - so yes, I'd definitely save because you don't know what's around the corner.'
If you are affected by anything in this story, call Mind on 0300 123 3393
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