Everyone knows that an emotional sob story will get you that little bit more screen time when it comes to auditioning for The X Factor.
But ‘Overs’ contestant Anton Stephans may have some explaining to do after the story of his apparently troubled upbringing didn’t quite add up.
Anton told Simon Cowell that he was removed from his biological parents at the age of seven and placed into foster care.
He told X Factor: "Those things in our past that are difficult, I don't know if you truly heal but you live with them.”
The Sun has now claimed that Anton actually grew up in south London with his mum, Pauline Nelson.
His dad Kenneth told the paper: "Anton wasn't adopted. If he was adopted he’d have adoptive parents.
"No one knows why he is saying these things, it's all rubbish. He has been saying stories like this for years and it's all come back to bite him."
An ITV rep has hit back at his family’s statements, claiming that Anton is telling the truth about his past.
They said: "Anton is hurt and disappointed that his family have chosen to fabricate these stories about him. Anton has chosen not to discuss his adopted family publicly in order to protect their privacy.”
His biological cousin Claire Johnson also added: "Anton has never lied about his upbringing - he was adopted as a child and raised by his adoptive parents in Sussex from the age of 6-7 years old. Anton has always been open about being adopted but does not want to discuss his adoptive family in order to protect their privacy."
Anton is now through to week two of the X Factor live shows after an emotional performance on Saturday night.
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