* 35% of people having affairs are ‘revenge cheating’, making it the top motive for infidelity.

* Women are more likely to ‘revenge cheat’ (38%), compared to 27% of men.

* 57% of men come clean about their vengeful actions – to inflict maximum pain on their unfaithful partners.

* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site.

From the thrill of the chase to the search for emotional fulfilment, the reasons behind infidelity can hugely vary. But what’s driving Brits to stray from the path of monogamy in 2024?

According to new research from IllicitEncounters.com, over a third (35%) of people having affairs are ‘revenge cheating’, making it the biggest driver for infidelity in relationships.

It seems hell really hath no fury like a woman scorned, and ladies aren’t holding back when it comes to getting revenge on unfaithful partners, opting to fight fire with fire.

In a poll of 2,000 people, a whopping 38% of women admitted to revenge cheating, embarking on their own extramarital escapades after discovering their partner’s infidelity. Men, on the other hand, were found to be less likely to retaliate by being unfaithful (27%).

The survey, conducted by affairs site IllicitEncounters.com, found that men who turn to revenge cheating tend to be more transparent about it, with 57% choosing to reveal their vengeful act to their partners – but it’s not because they feel the need to be honest, it’s to maximise the pain inflicted by the retaliation.

On the other hand, only 32% of women own up to their infidelity, preferring to keep their payback under wraps.

A staggering 78% of individuals strike back with a vengeance within just 48 hours of learning about their partner’s infidelity. It’s a lightning-fast response to betrayal, fuelled by raw emotions and a burning desire for vengeance.

The most common methods for revenge cheating include using affairs sites and dating apps (44%), sleeping with an ex-partner (27%), contact via social media (14%), dalliances with a work colleague (10%), and even cheating with a partner’s friend (5%).

When it comes to settling scores, men and women embrace the chance to turn the tables on their unfaithful partners without hesitation, and an overwhelming 83% say they felt no remorse for their actions. 

Jessica Leoni, relationship expert at IllicitEncounters.com commented on the survey results, saying “Revenge cheating is a remedy that scorned lovers appear to be opting for when it comes to treating a broken heart, especially for women.

There’s something undeniably liberating about taking control of your own narrative, especially when you’ve been wronged. Revenge affairs can serve as a form of catharsis, allowing individuals to reclaim their confidence and sense of independence in the face of heartache.

Whether it’s getting into bed with an ex or having affairs through married dating sites like IllicitEncounters, people are finding their own unique paths to payback.

While it’s understandable that people might want to get even to alleviate the feeling of betrayal, it’s really important to remember that revenge affairs may only offer temporary satisfaction.”

Most common ways people revenge cheat:

Affairs sites and dating apps (44%)
With an ex (27%)
Contact via social media (14%)
With a work colleague (10%)
With a partner’s friend (5%)

* 74% of men say they put on weight after getting married, with 61% blaming their wives for the weight gain.
* 72% said that they’re in better shape and have shed pounds since starting an affair.
* Unfaithful husbands lose on average 11 pounds in the first three months of their extramarital escapades. 
* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site

It seems our bodies might be betraying us more than we realise when it comes to relationships.

A recent study in China found that men are more likely to gain weight after tying the knot compared to women. Exercising less and eating more, married men risk letting themselves go post-wedding.

But, according to a recent survey by married dating site IllicitEncounters.com, changes in a married man’s weight could also be a telltale sign of infidelity.

In a poll involving 1,200 of its male members, 74% said they’d put on weight since the day of the ‘I do’, and 61% of those blamed their wives for their poor eating and lifestyle habits before engaging in an affair.

A staggering 72% of men revealed they’ve been shedding pounds since embarking on their extramarital adventures, suggesting cheating could be the secret to losing weight. Incredibly, in the first three months of their affairs, love rats lose on average 11 pounds. Forget about keto or intermittent fasting; apparently, infidelity is the ultimate weight-loss plan. 

For 39% of men, cheating on their partners has pushed them to work out more frequently, and 34% admitted to using the gym as an alibi for secret meets with their lovers.

Anthony from Glasgow, a member of IllicitEncounters.com who took part in the survey, said “I first noticed I was putting on weight about a year into my marriage, and it just seemed to spiral from there. Takeaways every other night, and endless evenings sat on the sofa – that’s about as exciting as my marriage got.

When I started having affairs about two years ago, I knew I had to start taking more pride in my appearance – I wanted to feel good emotionally and physically, and appear more attractive to women. From that moment, I vowed to work out more regularly and be careful with what I was eating. 

If you were to see a photo of me from two years ago, you wouldn’t recognise me. The confidence I’ve gained from having affairs and the push it’s given me to want to take better care of myself is mental.

My wife’s obviously noticed the difference, but she just thinks I’m having a mid-life crisis!”

Relationship expert at IllicitEncounters.com, Jessica Leoni, commented on the results of the survey, saying “It’s no secret that at the beginning of a relationship, we tend to make more of an effort, with a huge emphasis on looking good in the hope of securing a life-long partner. 

Well, it turns out once you’ve done all that hard work, it could all potentially go downhill. Complacency in marriage is a huge catalyst for infidelity – dull routines are a hurdle that many couples will face at some point in long-term relationships.

Just because your partner hits the gym religiously and can rock a pair of skinny jeans doesn’t mean they’re on the prowl for a secret rendezvous, but the next time your husband tells you they’re off to work out or starts mysteriously shedding pounds, you might want to start asking some questions.”

* The majority of married people (78%) revealed they are unhappier in their marriages as a result of the cost of living crisis.

* 1 in 3 people considering divorce say that the high costs involved are an obstacle, which has led spouses to find a cheaper alternative.

* Open marriages are becoming increasingly popular, allowing couples to satisfy their emotional and physical needs while remaining legally bound – avoiding the burden of divorce.

* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site

As the cost of living crisis tightens its grip on households, marriages find themselves navigating uncharted waters, with financial challenges placing massive strain on relationships. 

With divorce rates at their lowest since 1971, you might think that couples in the UK are doing a great job of maintaining a solid relationship despite the financial woes they’re experiencing. 

But, it turns out distinctive trends are emerging – couples are increasingly turning to open relationships as an unexpected lifeline to weather the economic storm, or they’re using infidelity as a coping mechanism.

A study by extramarital dating site IllicitEncounters.com revealed that a staggering 78% of spouses are unhappier in their marriages due to the cost of living crisis. 

Polling 1,500 of its members, one in three married people who are contemplating divorce see the prohibitive costs associated with the process as a significant obstacle, preventing them from pursuing the traditional route to separation.

As a result, a new trend has emerged – infidelity as a coping mechanism. For some couples, engaging in extramarital affairs has become a means of making their relationships more bearable when divorce seems financially unattainable. 

However, an even more shocking development is the rising number of couples turning to open relationships as a cheaper alternative to traditional divorce.

18% of those polled who are considering divorce but are unable to afford it have opted for open relationships with their spouses, openly seeing other people with their partner’s blessing.

Dominic from Newcastle who took part in the survey said, “We’d been on rocky ground for over a year – we’d tried marriage counselling but it just made us more hostile towards each other. 

Divorce seemed inevitable, but the costs were a roadblock and that’s when IllicitEncounters.com became our unexpected lifeboat.

Although the love might not be there anymore, we do still respect one another and we both want each other to be happy. So, knowing that we wouldn’t be able to face the financial strain of divorce at the moment, we mutually agreed that we should see other people.

It’s had such a huge positive effect on us mentally and emotionally.”

Jessica Leoni, spokesperson for IllicitEncounters.com said, “Despite divorce rates reaching their lowest point since 1971, the decline isn’t necessarily an indication of marital bliss – it actually conceals dissatisfaction in relationships that stems from economic challenges.

We’re seeing more and more couples on the site who, rather than ending their marriages, have chosen transparency and openness about seeing other people as a way to satisfy their emotional and physical needs while remaining legally bound – avoiding the financial and emotional burden of divorce.

It turns out consensual non-monogamy is the secret to a long-lasting marriage!”