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Julia Wendell on Dr Phil© Dr Phil

Dr Phil grills Polish woman claiming to be Maddie McCann over DNA test

Madeleine McCann went missing aged three in Portugal

Emmy Griffiths
TV & Film Editor
March 29, 2023
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Julia Wendell, the young Polish woman who believes that she could be Madeleine McCann, joined Dr Phil on Tuesday to discuss her claims that she is the missing British girl.

The 21-year-old Polish woman, who was taken to the US by her representative, Dr Fia Johansson after receiving death threats, sat down with the TV personality where they discussed several key similarities that led her to believe that she could be Maddie.

WATCH: Julia grilled on whether she is Maddie McCann

During the show, they discussed her defect in her iris, showing that the pair have the same markings, with Julia saying: "It's a little faded now, but yes." They also showed that the pair share the same dimple, with Dr Phil saying: "You look a lot like her from those ages."

Julia also revealed that she thought she looked very much like Maddie as a teenager, with Dr Phil saying: "Alright, ok, so you think you look a lot like her at those ages and that you have an iris defect the same as she did," as she continued: "Another thing is facial expression. When I laugh, my eyes close a little like on the lower picture on the row of the screen, the Madeleine picture. When I laugh, I have some picture from teenage age and [I have] the same expression."

Julia Wendell on Dr Phil© Dr Phil
Julia Wendell on Dr Phil

After Dr Phil asked her about her Polish parents, Julia revealed that her mother "refused" to share any information from her early childhood.

"She said [she gave birth to me] but she didn't want to show me any proof… My mother, when I asked for DNA before this whole situation, and for photos from her pregnancy, she refused, she didn't want to."

MORE: Madeleine McCann disappearance: a timeline of how events unfolded

Dr Phil's viewers had a very divisive response to the interview, with one writing: "This is ridiculous. The private investigator is loving every minute of being in the spotlight. Who knows if she even genuinely believes this girl," while another person added: "Whoever she is, she needs to feel safe and loved. I hope she gets the help she needs!"

maddie mccann itv doc© Photo: ITV
Maddie went missing in Portugal

A third person wrote: "This whole thing has been turned into a global project/drama. Why can't they conduct a quick DNA test and be done with it without causing further heartache to the McCann family."

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