Alfie Patten: Where is ‘Britain’s youngest dad’ now?

In 2009, Alfie Patten, just 13 years old, made headlines around the world when he was reported to be Britain’s youngest father. His girlfriend, 15-year-old Chantelle Steadman, had given birth, and Alfie’s baby-faced looks intensified the media storm.

The story quickly became a national talking point, drawing in politicians. Nigel Waterson, MP for Eastbourne, called it “a very sad story,” raising concerns about inadequate sex education and the growing sexualisation of society.

Alfie himself became a symbol of the scandal after a YouTube interview went viral. Asked if he could support his new family, he innocently replied, “What’s financially?”—a moment that underscored his youth.

Details later emerged that Chantelle had not realised she was pregnant until 12 weeks in, and the couple managed to hide it for another six weeks until her mother noticed. Their daughter, Maisie Roxanne, was born in February 2009, weighing 7 pounds 3 ounces.

For a brief moment, Alfie embraced the role of father. “Holding Maisie for the first time was amazing,” he recalled, admitting he was too young to grasp the reality but still felt instant affection for her.

However, just six weeks later, a DNA test revealed the shocking truth: Alfie was not the father. The baby’s real father was another boy, 14-year-old Tyler Barker, a friend of Alfie’s. His mother, Nicola, had already suspected her son was too young to be sexually active.

The revelation left Alfie devastated, and though he was cleared of the title of Britain’s youngest dad, the media never let go. Hounded by tabloids and burdened by legal and personal struggles, his life spiraled, but he continues to search for peace.