Tag: UK dating

Politicians named Britain’s most likely profession to cheat, study reveals

* People working across politics – from MPs and councillors to civil servants – topped the list, with more than a quarter linking the sector to infidelity.
* High-pressure, long-hour professions linked to trust and authority, including police, doctors and teachers, also ranked highly.
* Experts say secrecy, stress and blurred work-life boundaries create the perfect conditions for affairs to develop.
* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site

People working in politics – from MPs and councillors to civil servants and policy advisers – have topped a new and eyebrow-raising league table of Britain’s most unfaithful professions, according to a poll by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site.

The survey of 3,000 UK adults found that those employed across the political sector are more likely to cheat than workers in any other profession, with 28% of respondents linking infidelity to roles within politics. Long hours, high-pressure environments and a culture of discretion were repeatedly cited as factors that make affairs more likely.

It’s not just people in politics keeping secrets, however. The research suggests that professions traditionally associated with trust and authority also feature heavily on the list. Police officers ranked second, with 23% of respondents associating the profession with infidelity, followed closely by doctors on 21%, where shift work, emotional intensity and irregular hours were frequently blamed.

Teachers also made the top ten, with 18% saying the profession is prone to cheating. Meanwhile, lawyers (15%) and those working in finance (14%) were also flagged as high-risk, with ambition, long days and blurred lines between work and social life cited as contributing factors.

Perhaps more surprisingly, roles rooted in care and public service still scored highly. Nurses (11%) and social workers (9%) both featured, while journalists (9%) and the military (8%) completed the top ten.

Jessica Leoni, sex and relationships expert for IllicitEncounters.com, says the results are less about profession stereotypes and more about environment. “When we talk about politics here, we’re not just talking about MPs in Westminster,” she explains. “We mean anyone working within the political system – civil servants, advisers, councillors and policy teams – roles that often involve long hours, emotional intensity and a strong expectation of discretion.”

She adds, “Professions that combine pressure, power and secrecy consistently rank highest when it comes to infidelity. When work becomes all-consuming and personal lives take a back seat, it’s actually often with colleagues – people who understand that pressure – where boundaries start to blur. I mean, Matt Hancock had an affair with an aide just a few years ago… do we really other people in politics haven’t been doing the same thing behind closed doors since then?”

Results
Top 10 professions most likely to cheat (according to respondents):
Politics – 28%
Police – 23%
Doctors – 21%
Teachers – 18%
Lawyers – 15%
Finance – 14%
Nurses – 11%
Social workers – 9%
Journalists – 9%
Military – 8%
Other – 12%

Britain’s most trusted accents revealed – as ‘The Traitors’ takes over the nation

* Welsh named Britain’s most trusted accent, with one in four people saying it sounds the most honest.

* Geordie and Northern Irish accents complete the top three, while Cockney is trusted least.

* Two-thirds (67%) of people admit they judge someone’s honesty based purely on their accent.

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

As the nation remains gripped by the deceptive drama of The Traitors, a new study reveals which British accents we instinctively turn to for truth – and the results are music to Welsh ears.

The poll of 2,500 people by IllicitEncounters.com saw respondents asked to choose the one British accent they trust most from a broad list, with the Welsh accent crowned the UK’s most trustworthy (22%). The melodic tones of the Valleys clearly have us all under a spell, beating the friendly Geordie charm (16%) into second place.

Completing a podium of trustworthy tones, the Northern Irish accent took bronze with 15%, suggesting a lovely lilt goes a long way. 

At the bottom of the league table, posh and West Country accents tied with a meagre 2% each. And in last place – with just 1% – sits the Cockney accent. Not because people dislike it, but because, as one respondent put it, “they sound like they’d sell you a watch and a story at the same time”.

The poll also revealed just how much weight people put on how someone sounds. 67% admitted they form an instant opinion about someone’s honesty based purely on their accent.

Meanwhile, 28% said they feel more at ease around people whose accent sounds friendly or familiar – even if they’ve only just met.

Jessica Leoni, sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com, says it’s hardly surprising. “Accents act like a shortcut for the brain,” she explains. “Some voices just feel safer or more sincere, even when there’s no real reason for it. ‘The Traitors’ has shown us that people often trust tone and delivery just as much as facts.”

She adds, “When forming relationships, that can be powerful. A voice that sounds warm and familiar can make someone seem more genuine – and a lot harder to doubt, even when you probably should.”

Results
Most Trusted British Accents

  1. Welsh – 22%
  2. Geordie – 16%
  3. Northern Irish – 15%
  4. Scouse – 9%
  5. Scottish – 8%
  6. Yorkshire – 6%
  7. Home Counties – 5%
  8. East Anglian – 4%
  9. Mancunian – 4%
  10. Brummie – 3%
  11. Lancashire – 3%
  12. Posh/Received Pronunciation – 2%
  13. West Country – 2%
  14. Cockney – 1%

Today is the day that people are more likely to start having an affair than any other time of the year

* Dubbed ‘Blue Monday for relationships’, the 5th January marks the day most people turn to infidelity after festive tensions expose cracks in their relationships.
* New registrations on IllicitEncounters.com are forecast to rise by 38% by the end of this week, prompting the site to bring in additional staff for the second consecutive year to cope with demand.
* 71% say ending an unhappy relationship is a top priority this year, while 56% admit having more sex is high on their 2026 to-do list.

As the decorations come down and reality bites, today is the day more Brits will choose to pursue an affair than any other day of the year, according to relationship experts – and it’s all driven by post-holiday blues and a desire for a fresh start.

The 5th January has been dubbed ‘Blue Monday for relationships’ – sharing the spotlight with Divorce Day, as both land on the first working Monday of the year.  

According to new data from IllicitEncounters.com, registrations are forecast to be 38% higher by the end of this week, making this one of the site’s busiest starts to a year on record. The surge has been so significant that additional customer support staff have been drafted in for the second consecutive year to manage the influx of new members seeking an affair..

The site also surveyed 1,000 members who joined during the first few days of January, revealing the emotional drivers behind the spike. A striking 64% said the festive period made them realise how unhappy they were in their relationship, while 49% admitted that spending extended time with their partner over Christmas confirmed feelings they had been trying to ignore.

When asked about their priorities for the year ahead, 71% said leaving an unhappy relationship or starting divorce proceedings was at the top of their list, followed closely by having more sex (56%), feeling desired again (51%), and putting their own happiness first (47%).

One woman who joined the site this week, Sarah*, 39, from Leeds, says Christmas was the final straw. “On paper, we had a perfect Christmas – family visits, big dinners, presents – but I felt completely invisible the entire time,” she says. “We barely spoke unless it was about logistics. When January arrived, I realised I couldn’t go into another year feeling this lonely. Signing up felt like taking control again.”

Jessica Leoni, sex and relationships expert for IllicitEncounters.com, says the timing is no coincidence. “The festive chaos is over, routines return, and people suddenly have space to act. That combination of clarity, dissatisfaction and opportunity makes early January the most dangerous period of the year for struggling relationships.

The post-Christmas surge in activity on IllicitEncounters has become so consistent that, for the second consecutive year, we’ve needed additional staff to manage the influx of new members. It underlines just how significant early January has become in the relationship calendar.”

“Christmas has a way of magnifying everything that isn’t working in a relationship,” she explains. “There’s pressure to be happy, affectionate and grateful — and when the reality doesn’t match the picture, it can be deeply confronting. By early January, people are emotionally exhausted and far more honest with themselves about what they’re missing.”

She adds: “January represents a psychological reset. For some, that means diets or gym memberships — but for others, it’s about reclaiming intimacy, excitement and feeling wanted again.”

*Name has been changed.

Is your partner’s lavish Christmas gift a red flag? 1 in 3 cheats use expensive presents to “throw spouses off the scent”

* 1 in 3 admit lavish presents are used to “throw spouses off the scent” of their infidelity.
* Cheaters spend up to 38% more on Christmas gifts once an affair begins.
* Experts warn expensive gifts can be a form of festive gaslighting.
* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site.

Christmas is supposed to be the season of giving – but new research suggests that some gifts may come with strings attached. A poll involving 2,600 members of IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site, has revealed that lavish presents are often less about generosity and more about guilt.

According to the survey, people who are having an affair spend up to 38% more on their spouse’s Christmas gift compared to before their infidelity. And while guilt plays a role, the motivation is often more calculated. 

One in three admitted that a key reason for splashing out was to “throw spouses off the scent” – making suspicion seem unreasonable. As one respondent put it: “Why would someone who bought you a £2,000 necklace be cheating?”

This tactic, experts say, amounts to a form of gaslighting. By showering their spouse with extravagant gifts, cheaters create a narrative of devotion that makes any doubts feel irrational. 

This strategy is particularly common at Christmas, when generosity is expected and big-ticket presents can be framed as festive indulgence rather than suspicious overcompensation. In fact, 41% of those who cheated said Christmas was the easiest time of year to disguise guilt spending as romance or tradition.

The survey also revealed the most popular “cover‑up” gifts chosen by cheating spouses this Christmas. For men, the top five presents being given to wives are jewellery (32%), designer handbags (24%), perfume (19%), spa vouchers (15%) and weekend getaways (12%). 

Women, meanwhile, are favouring splashing out on watches (28%), high‑end tech gifts (22%), expensive clothing (18%), aftershave (14%) and concert tickets (11%). 

IllicitEncounters.com’s sex and relationships expert, Jessica Leoni, says the findings reveal a darker side to festive generosity. “Lavish Christmas gifts can be a form of emotional misdirection,” she explains. “For some cheaters, it’s not just about easing guilt – it’s about control. An expensive present creates a psychological shield, making the faithful partner doubt their own instincts and feel unreasonable for questioning suspicious behaviour.”

Leoni adds that Christmas is the perfect backdrop for this tactic. “The festive period comes with huge expectations around romance, gratitude and ‘making an effort’. A big, show-stopping gift ticks all the boxes of what a ‘good partner’ should do at Christmas, even if their behaviour the rest of the year tells a very different story. If something feels off, it’s worth remembering that price tags don’t equal honesty.”

Results
Top 5 “cover-up” gifts from men to women
Jewellery (32%)
Designer handbags (24%)
Perfume (19%)
Spa vouchers (15%)
Weekend getaways (12%)

Top 5 “cover-up” gifts from women to men
Watches (28%)
High‑end tech (22%)
Designer clothing (18%)
Aftershave (14%)
Concert tickets (11%)

Revealed: The Top 10 Most ‘Dangerous’ Professions for Christmas Party Infidelity

* 31% of Brits admit to cheating at their work Christmas party – and 63% say they “pre-selected” the colleague they wanted to hook up with before the big night.
* Nearly 1 in 5 festive flings (19%) turn into long-term affairs, and only 15% feel any next-day regret.
* People working in finance, media and hospitality top the list of the most ‘dangerous’ professions for Christmas party infidelity.
* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site

With glittering decorations and flowing fizz, the office Christmas party is often the highlight of the corporate calendar. But for a surprisingly large number of Brits, the event is less about festive cheer and more about secret flings, with new research revealing the shocking scale of infidelity at Christmas work parties.

A study of 2,800 UK adults by the extramarital dating site IllicitEncounters.com has uncovered the truth about workplace party antics, finding that 31% of people admit to having cheated on their partner at a Christmas party.

The data suggests these illicit encounters are often far from spontaneous. A telling 63% of those who strayed confessed they had mentally “pre-selected” a colleague they were hoping to hook up with before the event even began. 

For nearly 1 in 5 (19%), what started as a tipsy one-night stand escalated into a long-term affair. Perhaps most surprisingly, only 15% reported feeling immediate regret the next morning, suggesting many see it as a calculated risk rather than a drunken mistake.

The research also identified a clear ranking of the most ‘dangerous’ professions when it comes to office party infidelity, based on the percentage of employees in each sector admitting to festive cheating:

Top 10 Most ‘Dangerous’ Professions for Christmas Party Cheating:

  1. Finance – 43%
  2. Media & Advertising – 37%
  3. Hospitality & Events – 32%
  4. Sales & Retail Management – 29%
  5. Legal Sector – 26%
  6. Creative Arts & Design – 24%
  7. Tech & IT – 21%
  8. Healthcare – 19%
  9. Education – 16%
  10. Construction – 14%

Michael*, 34, an investment banker from London, shared his experience: “The party is the open secret. You spend weeks building up to it, spotting who’s single or who’s been giving you that look in meetings. Last year, I’d been low-key flirting with a woman from the design team for months.

At the party, with a few drinks and the boss gone, it just… happened. We booked a taxi to hers before the last round was called. My girlfriend thought I was in a hotel with colleagues. It was thrilling, and honestly, no regrets. We still message sometimes.”

Jessica Leoni, sex and relationships expert for IllicitEncounters.com, comments: “The office Christmas party creates a perfect storm for infidelity. It’s a sanctioned event where normal rules are suspended – hierarchies flatten, alcohol flows freely, and everyone is dressed to impress.

Professions in the finance sector top the list because they often combine high-pressure, long-hours cultures with lavish, expensed parties. The ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality can easily blur personal and professional boundaries.

For many, the lack of immediate regret is telling. An affair that starts at a Christmas party can feel like a separate, compartmentalised part of their life – a secret gift they’ve given themselves before returning to the realities of family life over the holidays. It’s a dangerous, but for some, irresistible festive tradition.”

*Name has been changed

Today is ‘Unfaithful Friday’– the biggest day for winter affairs as adulterers celebrate ‘Cheatmas’

* Friday 5th December is ‘Unfaithful Friday’, the most popular day in the winter for having an affair.
* Extramarital dating site IllicitEncounters.com reported a 31% increase in activity among members in the leadup to ‘Unfaithful Friday’.
*  77% of married people declared they’ve made plans to meet up with their lovers on ‘Unfaithful Friday’, with the largest number of rendezvous (59%) scheduled for this evening.

Today marks ‘Unfaithful Friday’, the busiest day of the year for secret winter affairs – and new data from IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s biggest extramarital dating site, shows just how sharply cheating activity spikes before the chaos of Christmas begins.

The first Friday of December, known to adulterers as ‘Cheatmas’, historically sees married Brits rush to squeeze in one last secret meet-up before family festivities kick in.

Figures show a 31% spike in activity across the whole of the UK on the site in the run-up to the notorious ‘Unfaithful Friday’.

It comes as thousands of married Brits take advantage of the last quiet weekend before the Christmas chaos of office parties, school plays, family gatherings and endless shopping trips.

In a survey conducted by the UK’s leading married dating site involving 2,400 members, a whopping 77% declared they’ve made plans to meet up with their lovers on ‘Unfaithful Friday’. Of those, 59% will be meeting this evening, 28% will be having an afternoon rendezvous and 13% will begin their day by spending time with their lovers.

Sex and relationships expert Jessica Leoni, of IllicitEncounters.com, said, “People are grabbing one last dose of excitement before entering what for many is a marathon of familial performance art.

The excuses are almost foolproof at this time of year – no one questions a late-night work drink in December or an afternoon lost in the shops. It’s the perfect alibi for a day that has become the annual peak of secret intimacy in Britain.”

One member, Lisa*, 37, from Bristol – who has made plans to meet her lover today – says, “From next week, my diary is insane – I’ll be going to my husband’s work do, there’s the kids’ nativity, and we’ll also be hosting his family on Boxing Day. Today is my one window.

“I’ve told him I’m doing a big Christmas shop with a girlfriend. In reality, I’ll be having a long lunch and a few hours of proper conversation with someone who actually listens to me. It’s about feeling like myself again before I have to be ‘mum’, ‘host’ and ‘wife’ for the next three weeks straight.”

Leoni adds a warning for suspicious partners: “If your other half is suddenly ‘unavailable’ today, unusually keen on a solo shopping trip, or has a strangely detailed story about helping a friend, your intuition might be ringing for a reason. ‘Cheatmas’ is the day when the secret world and the real world collide under the cover of tinsel and goodwill.”

*Name has been changed

Strictly Come Dancing named UK’s biggest ‘passion killer’ in relationships

* 41% of Brits say their partner is “obsessed” with reality TV – and 63% claim it’s harming their relationship.
* Strictly Come Dancing ranked the number one show causing tension and killing intimacy.
* Experts warn reality TV escapism and second-screen habits are driving emotional disconnect in UK couples.
* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site

New research reveals that reality TV obsession is becoming a serious point of contention in British relationships, with partners of superfans reporting feeling neglected and lonely.

A new study by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site, involving 2,000 people reveals how reality TV is creating a crisis in British bedrooms, with 41% of respondents saying their partner is “obsessed” with TV shows – and of those, an alarming 63% admit it’s negatively impacting their relationship.

The research uncovered a definitive ranking of passion-killing programmes, with Strictly Come Dancing leading the pack as the show that causes the most tension in British relationships (56%).

Coming in second was Love Island (48%), whilst the nightly obsession with jungle antics left little room for intimacy as I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here (47%) came a close third.

Married At First Sight took fourth place (37%), as ironically watching strangers’ weddings appears to be destroying their own marriages, whilst the seemingly-innocent Great British Bake Off completed the top five (29%).

Michael*, 38, a logistics manager from Kent, shares his experience as a ‘Strictly widower’:

“From September to Christmas, I simply don’t exist. My wife doesn’t just watch Strictly – she lives it. There’s the main show, ‘It Takes Two’, and hours scrolling through social media talking about it. If I try to speak to her during any of this, I’m treated like I’m disturbing something sacred.”

Jessica Leoni, sex and relationship expert at IllicitEncounters.com comments: “We’re witnessing what’s called the ‘Second Screen Syndrome’ – where phones and tablets mean partners are never truly present anymore. But when you add full-blown reality TV obsessions into the mix, it creates a perfect storm of neglect.

The irony is heartbreaking – people are crying over television relationships while their real-life partnerships crumble from inattention. When someone knows more about the Strictly contestants’ backgrounds than their own partner’s daily life, it creates a deep sense of loneliness that often leads to seeking connection elsewhere.”

*Name has been changed

Top 10 Passion-Killing Reality TV Shows

  1. Strictly Come Dancing 56%
  2. Love Island 48%
  3. I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here 47%
  4. Married At First Sight 37%
  5. Great British Bake Off 29%
  6. The Traitors 26%
  7. The Only Way is Essex 25%
  8. Big Brother 19%
  9. Love is Blind 16%
  10. Made in Chelsea 13%

“I can’t afford to leave my partner – so I found freedom in an affair”

* A heartbreaking new poll reveals that 58% of people are trapped in unhappy marriages because they simply cannot afford to leave their partner.
* Of those financially constrained people, a massive 84% admit they would leave their husband tomorrow if they weren’t fearful of the financial impact of divorce.
* Susan* and Anthony* are just two examples of how worries of financial ruin through divorce can be a catalyst for infidelity.
* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site.

For many people, divorce isn’t always a choice. Some stay in unhappy marriages not because of love, but because they simply can’t afford to leave – and for a growing number, that financial trap is pushing them towards affairs instead.

A new survey of 2,000 members (split evenly between men and women) on IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site, reveals that 58% of people admit they stay in their marriage for financial reasons – and of those, a staggering 84% say they’d leave tomorrow if they weren’t fearful of the financial impact of divorce.

For Susan, 50, from Dorset, that statistic hits painfully close to home. She’s been married for 15 years, but the love faded long ago. “ I stay because I can’t afford not to – there’s no affection, no sex, nothing romantic left. We even sleep in separate rooms.” she says.

Susan’s husband had an affair 14 years ago, when she was pregnant with their child. Though they stayed together, she says she “never truly forgave him” but feels she cannot leave because of the costs that would come with divorce. 

But it’s not just women who are feeling trapped because of the potential financial impact of divorce. Anthony*, a 53-year-old business consultant, says, “I have a great salary, and that’s exactly the problem. The thought of a divorce is terrifying – my wife would take half of everything I’ve spent my life building. She knows that, and I think on some level, she uses it to her advantage. We haven’t been intimate for years, but I stay because the alternative could destroy me financially.”

He says joining IllicitEncounters.com gave him “an escape” without the life-ruining cost of divorce. “It’s not about being a player or chasing excitement – it’s about feeling appreciated again, without losing everything I’ve built.”

Relationship expert Jessica Leoni, from IllicitEncounters.com, says these stories are increasingly common. “Financial entrapment is one of the hidden drivers of modern infidelity,” she explains. “Many people feel they have no real option to leave – the cost of housing, childcare, and living expenses means they’re effectively locked into their marriages. For some, an affair becomes a way to reclaim a piece of themselves without tearing their whole life apart.”

Sometimes it’s the only form of therapy and self-discovery that fits within their economic reality. They aren’t looking to blow up their family’s home; they’re looking for a way to survive living in it.”

*Name has been changed

Luke Littler crowned “Sexiest Sportsman” on the planet – beating every six-pack in sport

* Darts star Luke “The Nuke” Littler  has sensationally been voted the world’s sexiest sportsman.
* The 18-year-old saw off fierce competition from global icons like Tyson Fury (2nd), Lando Norris (3rd), Carlos Alcaraz (5th) and Travis Kelce (6th).
* Littler has been hailed a ‘working class hero’ whose ‘pub-lunch physique’ and authenticity has redefined what women find attractive.
* The results come from an annual survey of female members on IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s leading dating website for married people.

Darts sensation Luke Littler has pulled off the most unlikely victory of his career yet – being crowned the “World’s Sexiest Sportsman”, beating boxing legend Tyson Fury, NFL heart-throb Travis Kelce and football golden boy Jude Bellingham.

The poll, conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s leading dating site for married people, asked 2,000 of its UK-based female members to score a 30-strong list of the biggest male sports stars in the world from 1-10 – based on their “sexiness”.

And it was 18-year-old Luke “The Nuke” Littler who stunned everyone by taking the top spot in 2025 – proving that sex appeal isn’t all about six-packs.

Littler saw off fierce competition from 2023’s winner Tyson Fury, who landed in 2nd place, and British F1 star Lando Norris (3rd). In a further twist, darts rival Luke Humphries made it to 4th place, whilst Spanish tennis ace Carlos Alcaraz completed the top 5.

Jessica Leoni, spokesperson for IllicitEncounters.com, credits Littler’s rise to his unapologetic authenticity and his complete lack of pretense, which she says women find deeply attractive.

Leoni commented: “The results are definitive: women are utterly over the chiseled, air-brushed look. They are craving authenticity, approachability, and confidence – and Luke Littler delivers all three in spades.

“He is the anti-supermodel sportsman. Littler’s appeal lies in the fact he’s a working-class hero who acts like a normal bloke and has a ‘pub-lunch’ physique. He owns it, he’s a winner, and he doesn’t feel the need to chase physical perfection – that self-assuredness is the most powerful aphrodisiac of all. 

“While a chiseled jawline is traditionally considered ‘sexy,’ the results prove that confidence is sexier than a six-pack,” Leoni added. “Littler is the new blueprint for male attraction: a man who is brilliant at what he does and completely comfortable in his own skin.”

Sexiest Sportsman on the Planet 2025

  1. Luke Littler
  2. Tyson Fury
  3. Lando Norris
  4. Luke Humphries
  5. Carlos Alcaraz
  6. Travis Kelce
  7. Jude Bellingham
  8. Jack Draper
  9. Erling Haaland
  10. Anthony Joshua

Potty mouths have better sex lives, study finds

* A new study links a filthy mouth to a fiery sex life, with foul-mouthed Brits reporting far more adventurous escapades between the sheets.
* Frequent swearers are more likely to describe their sex life as “adventurous”.
* Scots are the UK’s biggest potty mouths, followed by people in London and the North West.
* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site

Forget sweet nothings – it turns out swearing is the real language of love. New research suggests that people with a potty mouth are significantly more passionate and adventurous between the sheets than their more polite counterparts.

A poll of 2,400 people conducted by IllicitEncounters.com found a shocking link between foul language and fiery passion. A whopping 68% of people who swear ‘all the time’ or ‘often’ described their sex life as “adventurous”. Meanwhile, 75% of those who never or rarely swear admitted their bedroom antics were “predictable”.

Scots top the charts for being the biggest potty mouths, with 73% of respondents north of the border saying they swear ‘all the time’ or ‘often’. They were followed by Londoners (59%) and the North West (45%).

Ben*, a 32-year-old project manager from London, agrees with the findings. “I’ve always been blunt and I don’t filter myself, and that definitely carries over into the bedroom,” he says. “Sex is about passion, about letting go of control and being in the moment. If you’re too worried about being proper and polite, how can you ever truly lose yourself? A well-timed expletive is the sound of someone who isn’t overthinking.”

Jessica Leoni, sex and relationships expert for IllicitEncounters.com, explains the psychology behind the link. “Swearing is an act of release,” she explained. “It’s emotional, it’s expressive, and it signals confidence. People who swear freely are usually more in touch with their emotions – and that makes them more attuned to passion.”

“Those who filter themselves constantly, in life and in love, tend to carry that same restraint into the bedroom. The more you suppress your voice, the more you suppress your desires,” Leoni said. “It’s no coincidence that people who let it rip linguistically are also more likely to let go physically.”

*Name has been changed

Results
Regions with the most swearers (swearing regularly or often):
Scotland – 73%

London – 59%

North West – 45%

Northern Ireland – 41%

South East – 37%

North East – 36%

Yorkshire & Humber – 31%

Wales – 26%

West Midlands – 22%

East Midlands – 16%

South West 14%

East of England – 11%