Brief Encounter's heartbreaking tale of ill-fated extramarital romance continues to resonate in Britain today. According to new research carried out by OnePoll.com, one in five adults are in love with someone other than their partner.
Of the 3,000 people interviewed, 20% admitted to having had feelings for a friend, ex-lover or colleague, despite being married or cohabiting with a long-term partner. Such unfulfilled love will go on for as long as three years and three months on average, although one in 50 said they had felt that way for as long as they could remember.
A spokesperson for OnePoll.com said: "Even in a happy relationship, it seems to be possible to have a wandering eye or even crave affection from another person. Yet for many people, the feelings are much stronger - with 20% saying they are actually in love with another person despite being in a loving relationship already."
This is something that many people will experience at some point in their lives, be it their own desires or discovering that their partner has feelings for someone else. But, for the majority, it will stay in the realm of fantasy: the research suggests that only one in six would act on their emotions.
We would like to know if this is something that you are currently going through, or have in the past. Is it human nature to be attracted to what seems new and exciting? Or can relationships be genuinely fulfilling and not lead to those involved looking elsewhere? Share your stories below, anonymously if you prefer. We will publish some of your experiences in G2 tomorrow, so please try to post before 4pm today if possible.
