* A shocking proposal was made in an online forum, suggesting people in unhappy relationships who are looking to have an affair should use the ‘bell pepper code’ to signal their availability.
* The forum post suggests people should place two bell peppers in their basket or trolley to grab the attention of potential lovers.

* The discussion has received a flurry of positive responses which is causing concern for couples, as one user points out they’ve “Never seen so much traffic on a forum topic!”

* The post on the IllicitEncounters.com ‘Flirt Forum’ is just one of many unconventional topics discussed.

In a bizarre new twist on food shopping, a growing number of people looking for extramarital fun are reportedly using bell peppers as a secret code to signal their availability in supermarkets.

The controversial discussion took place on extramarital dating site IllicitEncounters.com’s ‘Flirt Forum’, where one user came up with an outrageous idea to discreetly meet potential lovers in the most unlikely of places. “What if we start a secret code in the most mundane place of all – THE SUPERMARKET,” the poster suggested. “It’s perfect! No one would ever suspect that your weekly food shop could lead to something a lot more… sizzling.”

The plan, according to this member, is simple: if you’re looking for a little more excitement than what’s on your shopping list, you just place two bell peppers in your basket or trolley – but with a crucial twist: the stems must be facing downward. 

The idea quickly caught the attention of users on the forum, with one person declaring they had “Never seen so much traffic on a forum topic!”

One particularly practical member suggested that perhaps an additional step was needed: “Maybe we need to choose a specific part in the supermarket to wander off to when you’ve picked up your two peppers because otherwise it’d be too hard. Frozen aisles?”

The forum post gained a shockingly positive response from a flurry of members, with some declaring they’ll be testing the method, “This could make my food shop WAY more interesting. Upside down peppers it is! Definitely going to try this out.” Another user agreed, saying “I’d 100% do this! Would be so funny to see people eyeing up what everyone’s got in their trollies to check if they’re looking for an affair”.

Some people even posted their own suggestions on which vegetables to use. One user teased, “Surely you just need to seductively walk around with an aubergine,” whilst another said “Surely a big cucumber standing upright would be more appropriate?”

Commenting on the discussion which took place on the extramarital dating site, spokesperson for IllicitEncounters.com Jessica Leoni, said “While we normally encourage discretion in these matters, we never thought we’d see the day where people would be checking out each other’s vegetables in the supermarket – and not in the way you’d expect! If this catches on, I suppose we can only hope everyone’s keeping their cool in the frozen food aisle.”

* 76% of people who admitted to cheating on their partner revealed they still share the same bed with them, suggesting the secret to marital bliss is actually a ‘sleep divorce’.

* Sexpert Jessica Leoni revealed that sleeping in the same bed as your spouse can lead to tension in a relationship, but many fear that staying in separate bedrooms is a sign of failure.

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

In a shocking new study, it seems the key to a long-lasting and happy marriage may not lie in romantic getaways or date nights, but in something far more unexpected – sleeping apart. 

The poll by IllicitEncounters.com, which surveyed 2,000 people (1,000 men and 1,000 women), has uncovered a growing trend among couples who are saying goodbye to the traditional shared bed and embracing a ‘sleep divorce’.

According to the findings, a staggering 76% of people who admitted to cheating on their partner are still sharing the same bed. In contrast, only 24% of those who cheat sleep in separate bedrooms. The numbers have sparked debate over whether sleeping together could be driving couples apart rather than bringing them closer.

A ‘sleep divorce’ isn’t as dramatic as it sounds. In fact, it’s a growing trend where couples intentionally choose to sleep apart to preserve their relationship. Far from being a sign of trouble, many couples who opt for sleep divorces say it actually strengthens their bond by removing the irritations that come with sharing a bed – like snoring, restless nights, or mismatched sleep patterns.

While the idea might seem unromantic, it’s becoming increasingly popular, even among celebrities. Stars like Bette Midler and Joe Swash have gone public about sleeping separately from their partners, praising the arrangement for the positive impact it’s had on their relationships. Whilst Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty also revealed they sleep in separate bedrooms, prioritising sleep quality and personal space to keep their relationship strong.

Jessica Leoni, a sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com, explained that many couples are increasingly realising that sharing a bed might be more of a habit than a necessity. “Many couples feel like they should share a bed because that’s what’s expected,” Leoni says. “But if one partner is tossing and turning or there’s emotional distance between them, it can make things worse. A ‘sleep divorce’ can sometimes reduce that tension, giving couples space to sleep better and reconnect.”

But what about couples who continue to share a bed despite being in an unhappy relationship? The study revealed a significant number of these individuals are cheating on their partners – yet they still choose to sleep in the same bed.

One participant in the poll, Sarah, confessed that even though she’d been unfaithful for over a year, she still shares the same bed with her husband. “It’s complicated,” she admitted. “On the surface, everything looks fine. We’ve got kids, a house, and a routine. But it’s all a facade. The truth is, we’re both miserable, but neither of us wants to admit it. 

Sharing a bed feels like one of the last things we’re holding onto, even though it’s really only for appearances. I’m cheating because I feel emotionally disconnected, but I guess we sleep together because we’re both too afraid of the alternative – it would make it all too real.”

Leoni believes that cases like Sarah’s are more common than people think. “Cheating often happens because one partner feels unfulfilled,” she explains. “But instead of addressing the root issue, many couples stay stuck in old patterns, like sharing a bed, to maintain the image of a ‘normal’ marriage. They’re afraid that sleeping separately will be seen as a sign of failure. But the truth is, a ‘sleep divorce’ could be exactly what’s needed to heal the relationship – or at least start the conversation.”

* Georgia, 51 from Maidenhead, claims having an affair saved her from the emotional and physical neglect in her marriage, improving her mental health and confidence.

* A study by the UK’s largest extramarital dating site reveals that 81% of participants found their mental health improved after cheating.

* Sex and relationship expert at IllicitEncounters.com, Jessica Leoni reveals how over the past 20 years, the platform has helped people trapped in unfulfilling marriages find emotional and physical satisfaction.

In a society where loyalty in relationships is considered the highest virtue, Georgia*, 51, has boldly gone against the grain. After over 20 years of marriage and nearly a decade in a sexless relationship, she found a controversial but, in her words, life-saving solution – having an affair. And she’s not apologising for it.

Georgia, a mother of two grown children, says she had endured years of emotional and physical neglect in her marriage. “My husband and I grew apart over the years. He’s much older than me, and we slowly became more like housemates than a couple. We barely talk, and we’ve slept in separate bedrooms for as long as I can remember. This arrangement worked for a while, but after I turned 50, something shifted inside me.”

Feeling desperate and invisible in her own home, Georgia joined IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site where people in unhappy marriages seek connections outside their relationship. At first, she admits she thought she was just looking for physical satisfaction, but she soon realised her needs ran much deeper.

“Being in a sexless relationship for a decade affected my mental health. I was lonely, unseen, and unheard. I thought casual sex would fill the void, but it was emotional intimacy I craved too. When I met my lover through IllicitEncounters, everything changed. He noticed me. He made me feel alive again.”

The affair, Georgia says, was like an emotional life raft. “Having an affair has definitely improved my mental health. I was incredibly depressed before, often turning to alcohol and comfort foods to cope with my loneliness. But now, I feel validated. I have emotional intimacy, affection, and sex – all the things I was missing. I’m more forgiving of myself for acknowledging that I have needs, both physical and emotional.”

The positive impact of the affair on Georgia’s life has extended beyond the bedroom. Since beginning her secret romance, Georgia has cut back on drinking, started making healthier food choices, and even found the motivation to hit the gym. “My body shape has changed, my self-confidence has soared, and I love the way I feel about myself now. I no longer feel like I’m wasting my life.”

Georgia’s story is far from unique. In a recent poll conducted by IllicitEncounters.com involving 2,500 people, a staggering 81% of those who have had affairs said that cheating improved their mental health. For many, stepping outside their marriage wasn’t just about sexual fulfilment – it was about reclaiming a sense of self-worth and escaping the emotional isolation of an unhappy relationship.

Sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com, Jessica Leoni, commented on the study and Georgia’s story, “For over 20 years, IllicitEncounters has helped people trapped in unfulfilling marriages find emotional and physical satisfaction. The reality is that many individuals feel suffocated and unseen in their relationships. Having an affair, for some, is a way of seeking happiness and mental clarity. It can be an opportunity for personal growth, self-discovery, and even healing.”

Leoni goes on to explain that many users of the site view their affairs as an essential outlet to maintain their sanity in otherwise bleak circumstances. “The mental health benefits cannot be ignored. For some, having an affair is more effective than therapy or antidepressants in alleviating feelings of loneliness and depression. Not all affairs should be considered bad. In some cases they really are saving lives.”

Georgia doesn’t regret her decision to step outside her marriage. If anything, she’s more self-aware and in control of her own happiness than she’s been in years. “My affair opened my eyes to what I was missing, and it gave me the courage to focus on my well-being. It’s not just about sex – it’s about feeling valued and understood. I’m not sorry for it. In fact, I think more people in my situation should consider it.”

*Name has been changed