* IllicitEncounters.com has reported a 26% jump in sign-ups from healthcare professionals since the resident doctors’ strike began on Friday.
* A poll of new members working in the ‘Healthcare & Medical’ sector reveals the top reason for signing up was simply “boredom” during the walkout.
* A married resident doctor admits he turned to infidelity because of a combination of boredom, work stress and a struggling relationship with his wife.
* Relationship experts explain how stress, routine disruption, and even boredom can be powerful catalysts for infidelity.

As thousands of resident doctors across England and Wales continue their walkout, it seems not everyone is spending their downtime on the picket lines. 

IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site, has reported a 26% increase in sign-ups from users in the ‘Healthcare & Medical’ sector between Friday and Monday, compared to the same period last year – coinciding exactly with the latest wave of industrial action.

According to a poll of 1,000 new joiners from the medical sector during the strike, the number one reason for signing up was simple: boredom. With rotas suspended and daily chaos swapped for unexpected quiet, 38% said they turned to the affairs site purely because they were bored while not working. 

A further 24% admitted that more free time than usual pushed them to explore new connections, while others cited workplace stress (15%), frustration with home life (11%), and long-term loneliness caused by erratic schedules (7%).

One new member Daniel*, a married resident doctor from Manchester who joined the married dating site on the weekend, said, “I’m usually working insane hours, constantly under pressure. But with the strike, suddenly I had this gaping void in my schedule. My wife’s still at work, and I’m just… bored. I’ve been home, pacing, watching TV, and it just hit me – this is the perfect time to explore something new, something just for me. It’s not ideal, but the boredom, combined with the underlying stress of my job and a frosty relationship with my wife, just pushed me to sign up.”

Jessica Leoni, sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com, commented on the unique trend: “The doctors’ strike creates a very unusual scenario. For many in the medical profession, their lives are defined by relentless work and immense pressure. When that routine is suddenly disrupted, it can lead to unexpected feelings of boredom, isolation, or a need for release. 

Our data suggests that for some, this newfound, albeit temporary, freedom is being channelled into seeking discreet connections. It highlights how stress, routine disruption, and even boredom can be powerful catalysts for individuals to explore avenues for emotional and physical fulfillment outside their primary relationships.”

Results:

Top 5 reasons for joining IllicitEncounters during the doctors strike:
Boredom while not working during the strike – 38%
More free time than usual / empty schedules – 24%
Workplace stress and need for release – 15%
Frustration with home life – 11%
Loneliness due to unusual working hours – 7%
Other – 5%

* Viral Coldplay ‘kiss cam’ moment sparks panic among execs, driving a 31% surge in CEO-level sign-ups

* IllicitEncounters.com saw a sharp uptick in high-profile professionals seeking discreet affairs compared to the same period last year

* Sex and relationships expert calls it a “masterclass in how not to behave when mixing business and pleasure”

In the days following that now-infamous Coldplay concert moment – when now former Astronomer CEO, Andy Byron, and his Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, found themselves unwilling stars of the kiss cam – IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site, has recorded a dramatic 31% increase in high-profile executive sign-ups.

Dubbed the ‘Kiss Cam Effect’, new data from the site reveals this spike came directly after the viral clip exploded across social media, showing the red-faced pair squirming as Coldplay frontman Chris Martin quipped: “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”

For executives with reputations to protect, the message couldn’t be clearer: indiscretion in the digital age can be career-ending.

Jessica Leoni, sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com, explains, “The Coldplay ‘kiss cam’ moment was a masterclass in how not to conduct a discreet relationship in public. It’s gone viral because it’s awkward, juicy, and deeply relatable. But behind the humour is a stark warning – especially for high-powered professionals.

Our data shows a clear panic response from the executive world – from Thursday to Sunday, we saw a huge 31% rise in sign-ups of CEOs compared to the same period last year, and this peaked on Saturday when Byron’s resignation was announced. 

It seems the message is loud and clear: if you’re going to mix business with pleasure, at least do it discreetly. This incident has brutally underscored the absolute necessity of privacy for high-profile individuals, driving them straight to platforms like ours – where discretion is not just encouraged, but built-in.”

One new user, a 45-year-old married CEO from Manchester (who asked to remain anonymous) said, “I watched that Coldplay clip with my stomach in knots. You could see it on their faces – they knew they were caught. I signed up to IllicitEncounters within minutes. I travel a lot with my PA and let’s just say things have got… blurred. There’s no way I’m ending up on TikTok and being forced to resign – so I figured if I want to have an affair, it has to be with someone outside of work and on a platform which guarantees discretion, so here I am.”

The surge in executive sign-ups signals a frantic dash among top professionals to find secure, discreet spaces for their affairs – before they become the next viral video.

IllicitEncounters.com says it’s seen similar sign-up spikes following other high-profile exposure moments, but few have triggered such a sharp, demographic-specific response as the Coldplay incident.

As Leoni puts it, “Discretion isn’t optional when your name’s on the office door. And now, more execs are realising that than ever before.”

* Tomorrow is ‘Frisky Friday’ – with a 71% surge in affairs expected as schools break up for summer
* Cheaters scramble for one last steamy meet-up before holidays make affairs harder to hide
* The most popular excuse for getting away to meet a lover tomorrow? Solo hobbies like golf, shopping and the gym top the alibi list
* One married mum admits she’s swapping her ‘pilates workshop’ for a hotel rendezvous
* The study was conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site

Tomorrow marks ‘Frisky Friday’ – the day extramarital affairs are set to spike as the UK officially slides into summer holiday mode.

IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s leading dating site for married people, is predicting a 71% increase in activity tomorrow compared to the average Friday, as schools across the country break up for summer. With family routines about to shift and holidays looming, thousands of cheaters are scrambling to squeeze in one last passionate meet-up with their lovers before family commitments make it harder to sneak away.

Jessica Leoni, sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com, said:
“Frisky Friday is like the Black Friday of affairs – it’s the final flurry before the summer holidays throw a spanner in people’s secret sex lives. When the kids are off school and spouses are around more, it becomes far more difficult to slip away unnoticed – so tomorrow is all about getting that final rendezvous before reality kicks in.”

According to a poll of 2,000 members making the most of Frisky Friday, the most popular alibi being used tomorrow is the solo hobby excuse – with 38% saying they’ll be heading to the gym, playing golf, going shopping or engaging in some other individual pursuit as cover for their affair. 

Another 29% will rely on the classic “working late” or other vague work commitments to justify their absence, while 17% say they’ll be “running errands” or attending appointments. Meanwhile, 11% will claim they’re simply meeting up with friends. The remaining 5% cited more creative excuses, ranging from volunteering stints to made-up fitness classes – one member even claimed to be helping walk rescue dogs this afternoon.

“People are creatures of habit – and that includes their alibis,” says Leoni. “For many people, the trick is to keep it boring and believable. The gym, work, or errands are all classic, low-risk covers because they’re solo and hard to verify. But some people get more inventive. The key is consistency and confidence – no one questions the person who looks like they’ve got it all together.”

One anonymous member, Shannon, a 44-year-old married mum of two from Hertfordshire, says she’s been planning her ‘Frisky Friday’ rendezvous for weeks. “I’ve told my husband I’ve booked a pilates workshop followed by lunch with a friend – but in reality, I’m spending the day in a hotel with my lover. My lover’s off on a family holiday next week, so this is our last chance to be together until September. We’ve both been counting down the days.” She adds, “It sounds mad, but there’s something thrilling about carving out time like this. It’s risky, but that’s part of the excitement.”

According to Jessica Leoni, “IllicitEncounters.com typically sees a sharp uptick in sign-ups and messaging activity in the week leading up to the school holidays – and this year is no exception. ‘Frisky Friday’ is now a well-known peak in the affairs calendar, with July consistently ranking among the busiest months for discreet encounters. For many, tomorrow marks the last opportunity for a summer fling before family beach trips, staycations and school holiday chaos take centre stage.”

Results
Top excuses people will be using on ‘Frisky Friday’ to meet their lovers:

38% will use their ‘solo hobbies’ (e.g. gym, golf, shopping) as their alibi.
29% will rely on ‘working late’ or other ‘work commitments’.
17% will be ‘running errands’ or have scheduled appointments
11% will be meeting up with friends
Other 5%

* 68% of women say they prefer a dad-bod over a gym-honed physique.

* Bodybuilders are out, balance is in – just 6% of women found overly muscular men appealing, favouring a more relaxed, relatable look.

* Nearly three-quarters of women say men with dad-bods feel more approachable and less intimidating.

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

In a revelation that might have gym fanatics rethinking their routines, a recent poll conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s leading dating website for married people, has found that the ‘softer’, more relatable physique is overwhelmingly preferred by women over sculpted abs.

The survey of 2,000 female members delivered a clear verdict: a significant 68% of women stated they find a ‘dad-bod’ the most attractive physique. 22% prefer an athletic build, and just 6% said they’re attracted to bulked-up bodybuilder frames. On the opposite end of the spectrum, only 4% said they’re attracted to overweight physiques.

When asked why the dad-bod was so appealing, the top response – at 73% – was that women felt these men were more approachable and less intimidating. Many ladies (58%) also felt that men with this physique seemed to prioritise fun and enjoyment over rigid routines, suggesting a more balanced lifestyle. 

Confidence was another key factor – 52% said a man with a dad-bod seemed more self-assured in his own skin. Women also described the look as more real and less high-maintenance (45%), and 25% insisted dad-bods simply make better cuddlers.

Jessica Leoni, sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com, commented on the surprising findings: “This poll confirms what many of us have long suspected – the dad-bod is no longer just accepted, it’s adored. 

It reflects a shift in what women want: someone comfortable in his skin, who’s fun to be around and doesn’t take himself too seriously. Let’s face it – a partner who prioritises pleasure over protein shakes can be incredibly appealing.”

Results
Preferred Male Physique:
Dad-bod – 68%
Athletic build – 22%
Bodybuilder physique – 6%

Overweight – 4%

Top Reasons for Dad-Bod Preference:
More approachable and less intimidating – 73%
Looks like they prioritise fun/enjoyment over strict routine – 58%
Suggests more confidence – 52%
More ‘real’ and less high-maintenance – 45%
Better cuddlers – 25%

* Affairs site IllicitEncounters.com saw a 58% surge in new sign-ups in the past four days – peaking on Tuesday as temperatures hit 34.7°C

* Women made up 62% of new members, with the biggest spike among 35–44-year-olds

* 68% of new members said the heat made them feel “more impulsive,” while 55% admitted the weather gave them the “final push” to cheat

* Experts say “sundrunk” Brits lose inhibitions in hot weather, entering a holiday mindset even at home

As Britain sweltered through its hottest day of the year, with temperatures hitting a blistering 34.7°C in London, experts are warning of an unexpected side effect of the heatwave – a dramatic surge in cheating. 

Dubbed the ‘cheatwave’, this phenomenon has seen sign-ups to the UK’s leading affairs site, IllicitEncounters.com, skyrocket by 58% over the past four days, peaking on Tuesday as the mercury climbed to its highest level.

Experts point to a dangerous cocktail of hormonal surges, lowered inhibitions, and “heatwave hedonism” that drives otherwise loyal partners to stray. “When the sun blazes, so do passions,” says Jessica Leoni, sex and relationship expert for IllicitEncounters.com. “We see this with every heatwave – the hotter it gets, the more people seek excitement outside their relationships. Extreme heat essentially rewires our impulses.”

From Saturday to Tuesday, new registrations on the affairs site surged by 58% compared to the same period last year, with Tuesday being the peak. Women accounted for 62% of new members, with the most common age group being 35-44-year-olds (45%), followed by 45-54-year-olds (32%).

One member who joined on the hottest day of the year, “Sarah” (39, from Brighton), admits the scorching weather pushed her over the edge. “I’d been unhappy for months, but the heatwave was the final nudge,” she says. “Yesterday, I was lying in the garden, sweating, bored, and scrolling on my phone. The sun made me feel restless – like I needed to do something reckless. By 4PM, I’d signed up.”

Sarah isn’t alone. A poll of 1,000 new members found that 68% said the heat made them “more impulsive,” while 55% admitted they’d been considering an affair for some time – but the soaring temperatures gave them the “final push.”

Sexpert Jessica Leoni added, “The sunshine strips away inhibition. It’s like the British public have collectively entered their holiday persona – even if they’re not abroad. We call it ‘sundrunk.’ You’re not drinking rosé on the Med, but you’re mentally already there.”