FROM Tiger Woods to Ashley Cole, celebrities everywhere appear to be cheating on their wives ... but hundreds of people living in Powys are at it too.
Married footballer John Terry lost the England captaincy for sleeping with a team-mate’s girlfriend, Cheryl Cole has finally left love-rat husband Ashley Cole, TV presenter Tess Daly faced humiliation after her husband Vernon Kay was caught sending racy texts to other women, and golfer Tiger Woods went into isolation following a string of sleazy affairs.
But it’s not just the rich and famous who are being tempted to stray – more than 200 men and 37 women living in Powys have signed up to www.illicitencounters.com
Illicitencounters.com is Britain’s largest website aimed at introducing married people looking to have affairs, and describes itself as being “a discreet and confidential extra-marital dating service for women and men.”
Many of the Powys residents registered on the website claim to be happily married, often with kids and sometimes even grandchildren. The site allows married men and women to find like-minded people living nearby, chat with them, send virtual kisses and arrange to meet.
One woman claims to be a happily married wife who would love to flirt and have fun with honest and non-pushy men and is not bothered if they are married. A surprising statement for a 48-year-old Christian, from Welshpool.
Meanwhile, a 56-year-old man from Welshpool describes himself as a frustrated male whose life seems to have suddenly become boring and without romance.
Spokesperson for illicitencounters.com Rosie Freeman-Jones says they have had their busiest January to date, with membership numbers soaring.
“We have just over 410,000 members across the UK and Ireland, and this January was our busiest month ever – we broke every record we’d ever set.”
And it’s not just men who use the site, Sara Hartley, a representative at illicitencounters.com, explains how the website has experienced a surge of female activity over the past few weeks as thousands of disillusioned wives take to the internet after a dismal Valentine’s Day.
“Valentine’s Day this year seemed to be a particularly important day for wives everywhere,” she said.
“Attitudes towards extra-marital relationships are changing and, today more than ever, women are less comfortable about ‘putting up’ with a neglectful spouse.
“These women need to feel appreciated and desired, and we hope that our site will connect them with others who can fulfil those needs.”
Sharon, 37, who joined the site, said: “My Valentine’s Day was a complete washout. I booked a meal for myself and my partner, but he decided he had too much work to get done and made me cancel the reservations.
“I want to believe that romance is still alive somewhere. I hope to find someone who can convince me of that.”
Kate, 42, is in a similar situation: “With all the paper hearts and teddies adorning shop windows, I was taken aback when my partner managed to forget Valentine’s Day altogether.
“I guess I joined the website because I am lonely. Despite the fact that I am married, my husband’s lack of interest in me often makes me feel isolated.”