Author: Jessica Leoni

Jessica Leoni is a sex and relationships expert and the lead spokesperson for IllicitEncounters.com, the UK's largest and longest-running extramarital dating site with more than one million members. She comments regularly in the national press on infidelity, affairs, and the shifting landscape of modern marriage, drawing on original research from the site's member surveys. For interview requests, expert quotes and data on request, journalists can contact presspr@illicitencounters.co.uk.

Can you smell a (love) rat? Study reveals cheats’ most popular scents

* The top ten fragrances worn by cheats has been revealed in a new study – Dior Sauvage took the top spot (24%), followed by Chanel Allure (17%) and Versace Eros (12%).

* A whopping 82% of men admitted they use a separate fragrance depending on whether they’re spending time with their lovers or primary partners.

* 1 in 3 men revealed they’ve bought their partners the same fragrance worn by their mistresses in order to mask any odours that could give away their infidelity.

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

They say the nose knows, but can it sniff out a cheater? A study by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest dating site for people seeking extramarital affairs, has exposed the fragrances most popular among those who stray.

In this scent-sational survey which involved 2,000 men signed up to the affairs site, they were asked which fragrance is their go-to. The findings revealed that 1 in 4 men choose Dior Sauvage when aiming to charm their extramarital partners with its bold and rugged scent.

Chanel Allure, known for its sophisticated and timeless aroma, came in second (17%), while the seductive Versace Eros ranked third (12%) among the fragrances most worn by adulterers.

The survey also revealed that a whopping 82% of men admitted to wearing a different fragrance when meeting their affair partner, showcasing a calculated approach to their scent selections.

And, over half of men (53%) reported that wearing a particular scent gave them a confidence boost during their secret rendezvous, helping them feel more attractive and self-assured.

Gifting perfume to a spouse might seem innocent, but the study uncovered a more cunning motive. 32% of men admitted to giving their wives the same perfume their lovers wear, in a bid to blur scent trails and avoid suspicion.

But why these particular scents? It’s all about the emotions they evoke and the confidence they instil, according to sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com.

“Scent is a powerful sense directly linked to memory and emotion,” she says. “Choosing a particular fragrance for an affair is a strategic move to create a memorable and passionate experience.

Leoni also warns of the potential pitfalls. “Scent can be a giveaway. If the partner recognizes the fragrance, it could lead to suspicion and discovery. It’s a risky game that many might not even realise they’re playing.”

James from Hull, a member of the married dating site who took part in the study, said, “I swear by Dior Sauvage when meeting women from the site. It’s not just about smelling good – it’s about the confidence and allure it gives me. When I wear Sauvage, I feel like I can conquer anything because it gives me an edge, a sense of invincibility that’s crucial when I’m meeting someone new.

When I met up with my first lover, I was nervous but the moment she commented on how great I smelled, it was like a switch flipped. We connected instantly, and I think a lot of that is thanks to the fragrance I was wearing, which is why I made it my signature scent for secret meets.

I’ve been seeing my current lover for over three months now, and at one point I was getting quite self-conscious, constantly worrying about whether I’m leaving any tracks that would make my wife suspicious. So, to cover all bases, I bought my wife the same perfume as my lover in the hope of blurring the lines.

My wife has always loved receiving perfumes as gifts, so it wasn’t unusual for me to buy her one. When I chose my lover’s perfume for her, it was a strategic move in case she ever caught a whiff of it on me. It’s a way to keep my worlds from colliding.”

Results

Top fragrances worn by adulterers

Dior Sauvage 24%

Chanel Allure 17%

Versace Eros 12%

Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio’ 9%

Paco Rabanne 1 Million 8%

Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille 6%

Acqua di Parma 5%

Chanel Bleu de Chanel 4% 

Calvin Klein Eternity 3%

Carolina Herrera 212 2%

Other 10%

Woman makes shocking decision after finding out cheating husband used campervan for an affair

* A Reddit post from a concerned wife sparked a frenzied discussion about the use of campervans to disguise infidelity last week.
* The user has now provided an update, confirming her worst fears and revealing her next steps to seek revenge – by having her own affair.
* IllicitEncounters.com has been in touch with the woman, offering her lifetime Emerald membership on the UK’s largest married dating site.

A worried wife took Reddit by storm last week, sharing her concerns about her husband’s potential infidelity, as her female intuition led her to believe that he’d been ‘up to no good’ in their campervan.

The woman, having bought the campervan with her husband during lockdown in 2020, described how she’d started to question whether his excuses of “ overnight work trips” and using the campervan as “his office” were real after she entered the vehicle days and was overwhelmed with the “stench of female perfume”.

The original post titled “I think my husband’s having an affair in our campervan” racked up nearly 500,000 views and now, the woman has provided a shocking update.

After finding sexy underwear “stuffed in a drawer inside the camper” over the weekend, the suspicious wife confronted her husband with the evidence in hand, who soon admitted to infidelity.

In an unexpected twist, the Reddit user updated the community revealing her plans for revenge – by having her own affair.

The woman controversially confessed to signing up to married dating sites, “taking control and refusing to be the victim”.

Jessica Leoni, sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest married dating site, commented on the controversial Reddit post, “It’s not uncommon for scorned lovers to want to get revenge after finding out about a betrayal – especially women. 

In a survey we conducted back in March, we found that 38% of women admitted to revenge cheating after discovering their partner’s infidelity. Just 27% of men, on the other hand, retaliated by being unfaithful.

After following this woman’s story on Reddit, we reached out to her and she’s now been offered lifetime Emerald membership on IllicitEncounters.com.

There’s something undeniably liberating about taking control of your own narrative, especially when you’ve been wronged. We hope that a revenge affair can serve as a form of catharsis for this woman, allowing her to reclaim her confidence and sense of independence in the face of heartache.”

Daring campervan owners are taking their affairs on the road

* A Reddit post from a concerned wife sparked a frenzied discussion about the use of campervans to disguise infidelity.
* The woman has started to question her husband’s excuses for going on “overnight work trips” and using the mobile abode as “his office”.
* A survey conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site, found that using four-wheel homes for affairs happens more often than you’d think.
* 89% of cheats who own a campervan or motorhome admitted to hosting their lovers in their vehicles.
* 1 in 5 of those even admitted to having steamy encounters whilst parked outside their homes – with their spouses blissfully unaware just metres away.

A worried wife took to Reddit to share her concerns about her husband’s potential infidelity, when her female intuition led her to believe that he’s been “up to no good” in their campervan.

The woman, having bought the campervan with her husband during lockdown in 2020, described how she’s started to question whether his excuses of “overnight work trips” and using the campervan as “his office” are real after she entered the vehicle days ago and was overwhelmed with the “stench of female perfume”.

The post titled “I think my husband’s having an affair in our campervan” received an overwhelming response from users within hours, with the most up-voted reply suggesting the woman should “Get a spy cam and find out”, whilst others recommended buying an AirTag to track his movements.

And it turns out the use of campervans by cheats is more frequent than thought. In fact, a staggering 89% of adulterers confessed to inviting their lovers for secret trysts within the cosy confines of their four-wheel homes.

A recent survey of 1,800 members of extramarital dating site IllicitEncounters.com revealed that 1 in 40 cheats own a motorhome or campervan – surprisingly above the national average, with the number of motorhomes in the UK having risen to over 300,000.

1 in 5 brave motorhome-owning cheats even admitted to getting steamy with their lovers while parked outside their homes with their spouses blissfully unaware of what’s going on just metres away.

An astonishing 1 in 20 adulterers confessed to installing secret compartments within their vehicles specifically for the purpose of concealing evidence of their extramarital activities – including sexy lingerie and sex toys.

The South West was revealed as having the highest number of motorhome rendezvous enthusiasts according to research, with 33% of cheats admitting they’ve used their mobile abodes for discreet encounters – which is fitting considering Bristol recently hit headlines as the UK’s van dwelling capital.

The South East (18%), Scotland (15%), the East of England (11%) and Northern Ireland (10%) were found to be the areas within the UK where cheating motorhome owners were most likely to be lurking.

Renowned sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com, Jessica Leoni, commented on the results of the survey, saying “The allure of using motorhomes for affairs is nothing new. The privacy of your own place and the fact that it can be used for quick getaways from prying eyes makes it ideal for hiding infidelity.

It’s like a mobile love shack, offering a highway to hanky-panky for those seeking a detour from the ordinary. 

Just remember, relationships built on secrets have a tendency to hit a rocky road. So, while campervan flings may seem like a thrilling adventure, make sure you steer clear of potholes and navigate the journey with care.”

Results
Regions with the most motorhome/campervan cheats

  1. South West 33%
  2. South East 18%
  3. Scotland 15%
  4. East of England 11%
  5. Northern Ireland 10%

Revealed: People with this star sign are most likely to cheat on their partner

* Aries tops the charts of the most likely to stray in a relationship, followed by Capricorn and Gemini.
* Taurus is the most faithful star sign, followed by Virgo and Cancer.
* Data released by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site.

The star signs most likely to cheat on their partner have been revealed – and it’s bad news if you’re hitched to an Aries.

Data analysed by extramarital dating site IllicitEncounters.com found that ‘horny’ Ariens are most likely to have an affair, with 21% of love rats born between the 21st March and the 19th April.

Capricorns follow closely behind, with 14% belonging to the Earth sign.

If your partner is a Taurus, though, you can breathe a sigh of relief – just 3% of cheats fall under this star sign.

Virgo (4%) and Cancer (5%) were also found to be the most faithful zodiac signs, making them the ideal partner if you’re looking for peace of mind. 

The married dating site looked at data from 15,000 cheaters who joined the website within the past twelve months, and findings suggest it may be possible to predict the likelihood of infidelity within a relationship.

Jason from Windsor who joined IllicitEncounters.com in January said “As an Aries, I’ve always been drawn to adventure and excitement.

I’m a devoted partner on the surface, but let’s just say I’ve got a bit of a wandering eye. It’s not that I don’t love my wife, but sometimes the thrill of the chase is too hard to resist. 

Call it a weakness or blame it on the stars, but life’s too short to stick to one path.”

Another member of the married dating site, Lucy from Bath, commented “I started having an affair last summer after reaching breaking point with my husband. He’s a Pisces who seems to swim away from any sort of conflict, which means we’ve never managed to get around our marriage issues.

I’m a Capricorn, and I’ve always prided myself on my loyalty and reliability. But guess what? Even us goats have our moments when we decide enough is enough. Now, I’m seeing a fellow Capricorn and I can finally say that I’ve found someone who really understands me.”

Sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com, Jessica Leoni, commented on the data, saying, “Astrology, with its mystique and allure, has long captured our imagination, offering insights into our personalities, behaviours, and even our relationships.

Impulsive Aries are the daredevils of the zodiac. With their boundless energy and penchant for excitement, they’re always chasing after the next thrill, making them more likely to be led straight into the arms of temptation.

Loyal and dependable, Taurus is the poster child for commitment. They’re not about to let a little itch sway them from their path of devotion. So, if you’ve got yourself a Taurus partner, hold onto them tight – they’re as faithful as they come!”
 

Results
Aries 21%
Capricorn 14%
Gemini 11%
Leo 8%
Scorpio 8%
Aquarius 7% 
Libra 7%
Sagittarius 6% 
Pisces 6%
Cancer 5%
Virgo 4%
Taurus 3%

‘Revenge cheating’ accounts for over a third of affairs, study reveals

* 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%)

Has your partner lost weight? They may be cheating on you, study reveals

* 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.”

Married people are unhappier in their marriages as a result of the cost of living crisis and many are turning to open relationships

* 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!”

Beware of ‘Cheat Leap’: Love Rats Plan to Have Affairs on the 29th February

* A shocking proposal was made in an online forum, suggesting the 29th February should be an opportunity for people to cheat on their partners without consequences.

* Rather than being met with disdain, the initial post received a wave of positive responses, causing concern for married people.

* Relationship expert suggests cheating on the 29th February could actually be beneficial for relationships, as 72% of married people said they were happier in their marriage since they started having an affair.

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

In the world of love and romance, traditions have often leaned towards the conventional, with men taking the lead in popping the question. However, every four years, the tables turn and women can take the reins on the 29th February.

But the leap year tradition sparked a controversial discussion on extramarital dating site IllicitEncounters.com’s ‘Flirt Forum’. 

The debate began when a user posted a suggestion that would normally raise eyebrows, reading: “Since it’s a leap year, women can propose on the 29th February. And that got me thinking… for people who are already married or engaged, we should celebrate ‘Cheat Leap’, where cheating in a leap year doesn’t count! Sounds like a good enough excuse to play away this year… Or maybe the 29th should be ‘Come On To Someone Else’s Spouse Day’. What do we reckon?”

The shocking suggestion, rather than being met with disgust, was actually applauded by people who responded. One user reacted, “Good lord, genius, a national f**k another partner day.”

Another added, “Sounds perfect I like that idea…”, whilst someone declared they would “give it a try on the 29th, who knows it could be worth a leap of faith for one time”.

One user seemed to welcome the idea, stating “I’m thinking that sex at home is probably once every leap year….I’m looking for my temperature to be risen a lot more frequently than that.”

Although it’s a concerning topic that might spark fears for people in relationships, it turns out, having an affair might not be such a bad thing after all.

Jessica Leoni, spokesperson for IllicitEncounters.com, commented on the discussion, saying, “Our Flirt Forum is full of some rather unexpected conversations, with topics you really won’t find anywhere else.

It’s interesting to see that people who have already gone through the proposal process might end up feeling a little left out when leap years come around.

However, back in November 2023, a study we conducted showed that 72% of married people said they were happier in their marriage since they started having an affair – which actually became a topic of discussion on Good Morning Britain. 

So, actually, having an affair on the 29th February, or during a leap year might not be such a bad thing for your marriage after all.”

72% of men regret getting married to their partner, study reveals

* Men are more likely to regret getting married to their partner (72%), compared to women (54%).

* Marital remorse is most likely to hit in the third year of marriage – the majority of those who regret getting married (38%) believe they married the wrong person, and would have been better off staying with an ex. 

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

The moment you say ‘I do’ is usually seen by couples as one of the highlights of a relationship – a milestone you’ll never forget. 

But it turns out that the initial wedding bliss doesn’t last long before people start wondering if they made the right decision, especially if you’re a man.

According to research conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, who surveyed 1,800 users of the extramarital dating site, nearly three quarters of men (72%) and over half of women (54%) have regrets about tying the knot.

So, how long after a wedding can you expect marital remorse to kick in? Shockingly, one in ten people questioned if they made the right decision within the first year of marriage. But for the majority, you can expect the regret to start taking its toll three years after the initial ‘I do’.

Incredibly, people who regret getting married to their partner aren’t actually against the idea of tying the knot – they just chose the wrong person to do it with. In fact, 38% say they should have stayed together with an ex.

The dull routine of married life was the next big reason people have second thoughts about getting married, with 1 in 3 people declaring they hate the monotony of matrimony. 

No longer being physically attracted to their partner led to 1 in 5 people declaring they wish they hadn’t gone ahead with getting married in the first place.

A member of the extramarital dating site who took part in the survey, Samuel, said, “It was about two and half years into my marriage that I started regretting my decision to walk down the aisle – I’d never been a massive fan of the idea, but I knew that’s what my wife expected of me, so I just popped the question to make her happy.

The regret really started to sink in when I came across my ex’s social media profile. I started questioning why I’d ever broken up with her – she was kind, stunning, interesting, funny… but at the time I just wasn’t ready for anything serious, so we parted ways.

I couldn’t go on thinking about what might have been, so I bit the bullet and contacted her. It soon escalated into a steamy meet-up, and although it was a one-time thing, it definitely stirred something inside me because life’s just far too short to live in regret.”

Sex and relationships expert for IllicitEncounters.com, Jessica Leoni, commented, “As relationships evolve, the initial romanticised vision may clash with the practicalities of everyday life, triggering a sense of disappointment.

The truth is, people’s expectations and the reality of marriage are usually misaligned – you might be under the impression that saying ‘I do’ will lead to a life of rainbows and butterflies, but marriages are hard work!

Marital remorse can be really risky when it hits, especially if you find yourself thinking about past relationships. People may start questioning whether the grass is greener on the other side, and ultimately that could be the push that sees them playing away.”

Red Tuesday: You’re more likely to be dumped today than any other time of the year, expert warns

* The Tuesday before Valentine’s Day is the most popular time for people to get dumped.
* 37% of people revealed they’ve dumped their partner in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day.
* Of those, 52% admitted to ditching their partner on the Tuesday before Valentine’s Day, also known as ‘Red Tuesday’.
* The go-to method for breaking up is via WhatsApp messages (33%), followed by face-to-face dumping (21%) and breaking the news on a phone call (17%).
* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s usually a time filled with romance and anticipation for couples. You might be expecting a fancy gift or dinner at a snazzy restaurant, but actually, new research reveals that you could fall victim to ‘Red Tuesday’ instead.

Today is the day that people are most likely to be dumped. Yes, really. 

According to a survey by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site, the Tuesday before Valentine’s Day, known as ‘Red Tuesday’, could see your relationship crashing down just before the most romantic day of the year.

The website polled 1,500 of its members, and incredibly, 37% admitted to breaking up with their partner in the run up to Valentine’s Day.

Of those, a whopping 52% said they dumped their other half on ‘Red Tuesday’.

45% revealed that they dumped their partner in the week leading up to the most romantic day of the year, and 5% had the guts to end their relationship on Valentine’s Day itself!

So, what’s the most popular method when it comes to throwing in the towel? 33% of people went down the WhatsApp message route, whilst 21% mustered up the courage to break the bad news face-to-face. 8% didn’t even bother letting their partner know the relationship was over, and simply ghosted them – ouch!

Jessica Leoni, sex and relationships expert and spokesperson at IllicitEncounters.com, commented on the ‘Red Tuesday’ phenomenon, saying, “It’s a bit of a “V-Day pressure cooker” situation. As we get closer to the day of romance and roses, there’s this expectation to have this epic, Instagram-worthy love story. Suddenly, people find themselves questioning if their current relationship is measuring up to the grand gestures they see all over social media.

And let’s not forget the gift-giving stress that comes with celebrating Valentine’s Day. If one person is expecting a romantic masterpiece and ends up with a last-minute box of chocolates, it can lead to some serious disappointment.”

Leoni even suggested that people don’t give into the hype of Valentine’s Day, saying “I actually recommend that couples AVOID celebrating Valentine’s Day if you really want your love to thrive. Don’t give in to the commercialisation of the day, because you’re just adding extra strain to relationships, especially if they’re already on unsteady ground.”

Results
Ways people have dumped their partner around Valentine’s Day

WhatsApp message 33%
Face to face 21%
Phone call 17%
Social media 14%
Ghosting 8%
Through a friend 5%
Other 2%