'It's all rubbish': X Factor contestant Anton Stephans accused of being a 'fantasist' amid allegations he faked adoption sob story

By FEHINTOLA BETIKU FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

In his first audition he wowed the judges with a cover of Jennifer Hudson's I Am Changing.

However, it now seems that the only thing that X Factor hopeful Anton Stephans has changed is details of an alleged traumatic childhood.

According to The Sun, Stephans' father Kenneth is furious after the singer lied about being put into foster care aged seven and achieving a double first from Cambridge University.

Scroll Down For Video

'It's all rubbish': X Factor contestant Anton Stephans exposed as 'fantasist' after fake adoption sob story

'It's all rubbish': X Factor contestant Anton Stephans exposed as 'fantasist' after fake adoption sob story

A source told the publication: 'Anton wasn't adopted, if he was he'd have adopted parents.'

The newspaper claims that Anton, real name Stephen Johnson, 45, was raised in South London by his mother Pauline Nelson.

But in interviews Stephan allegedly 'constructed', he stated he was 'scarred' by his 'difficult' upbringing in which he lived separated from his biological family.  

Refuting Stephans' sob story, the source continued: 'No one knows why he is saying things like that. It's all rubbish.

'He has been telling stories like this for years and it has finally come back to bite him.'

The report also suggests that Anton lied about studying at Cambridge as the university have no record of him and revealed he is registered living under the name Stephen Marriott Johnson. 

See more X Factor news on Anton Stephans and other contestants 

'It has finally come back to bite him': Reports claim that Anton lied about being fostered as a young child

'It has finally come back to bite him': Reports claim that Anton lied about being fostered as a young child

Hitting back at the claims a source told MailOnline: '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.'

Meanwhile, his cousin Claire Johnson 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.'

'Anton is hurt and disappointed': A source told MailOnline that Stephans, 45, hasn't publicly spoken about his adopted family in order to protect their privacy

'Anton is hurt and disappointed': A source told MailOnline that Stephans, 45, hasn't publicly spoken about his adopted family in order to protect their privacy

Anton, who wowed the judges in Saturday's first live show of The X Factor with a rendition of Dance With My Father by Luther Vandross, is a fan favourite in this year's competition,

The 45-year-old contestant, mentored by Simon Cowell, is  a former backing singer for acts including Tina Turner and Elton John.

In his audition, Stephans revealed he suffered from Micro Melanoma for six-years and was previously told he had six weeks to live but has been in remission for 18 months.

Oops! In Sunday's X Factor Stephans' accidentally headbutted Simon Cowell as he made it through the vote

Oops! In Sunday's X Factor Stephans' accidentally headbutted Simon Cowell as he made it through the vote

Xfactor

Most watched News videos

Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.