Reunion hopes of Charlotte's father

6:21pm Sunday 20th July 2008

The estranged father of television presenter and singer Charlotte Church has spoken of his wish to be reunited with her.

Stephen Reed has not seen his celebrity daughter for 20 years following a bitter split with her mother Maria.

Reed, 44, from Llanishen, Cardiff, told the Wales on Sunday newspaper he still loved his daughter and saw a lot of himself in her daughter Ruby, whose father is Church's boyfriend Gavin Henson, the Welsh rugby union international.

The comments were in response to an interview with Church earlier this week in which she said her real father and his family were "strangers" to her.

Mr Reed now lives with his wife of 19 years, Alison, and they have two sons - Alexander, 16, and 20-year-old Luke.

Mr Reed told the paper: "There are some people who are obviously trying to drive a wedge between us and keep us separated. People have told her things about me that are abhorrent."

He added: "The last time I tried to get in contact with her was before Ruby's birth, but the reaction I got was 'Go away'.

"I was passing by her house and the intention was just to say hello. Gavin's mum was there - she seemed really nice.

"But she said she didn't want any arguments. She went and asked her, but Charlotte didn't want to hear."

Mr Reed also told the paper he was not interested in the millions she has earned during her career as an opera singer, pop star and presenter, adding that his life was "very comfortable".

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