* Two-thirds said they were unfaithful because they had drunk alcohol and things had gone too far;
* Christmas is the peak period of the year for cheating – ahead of the summer holidays and New Year;
* Less than third of cheats (32%) said they had regretted their fling – suggesting they were likely to do it again;
* Results are from a new survey of 1,000 people by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s leading dating site for married people
A third of people have cheated on a partner at Christmas, according to a new survey.
It is the most popular time of the year for a new affair to start ahead of the summer holidays and the New Year.
The office Christmas party is the most likely place for a fling to happen with more than half of respondents (57%) who had been unfaithful saying it was with a work colleague.
Two-thirds of cheats (68%) said they were unfaithful because they had drunk alcohol and things had gone too far as a result.
In just over half of cases (54%), the affair did not extend beyond the works party but 46% carried on seeing their colleague after the festive season.
The results are from a new survey of 1,000 people by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s leading dating site for married people.
Slightly more women (35%) than men (31%) have betrayed a partner at Christmas time.
The survey found that 85% of people felt more passionate in the run-up to Christmas because they were excited by the holidays and they were partying more with friends and colleagues.
Most affairs happened in the three week period between December 3rd and Christmas Eve – the key period for works parties before the holidays start and people stay at home with their families.
Three-quarters of people (74%) who cheated with a work colleague admitted flirting with them in the run-up to the party.
Seven out of ten cheats (71%) concealed the affair from their colleagues but 29% made no secret of the fact that they had been unfaithful – mainly because they were drunk.
Less than a third of cheats (32%) said they had regretted their fling – suggesting they were likely to do it again.
Only one in ten Christmas flings (11%) are discovered by the betrayed partner – so nearly all cheats get away with their indiscretion.
IllicitEncounters.com spokesman Christian Grant said: “Beware of the Christmas party season because it is a hotbed for affairs.”
“Sexual tensions which have been bubbling up over the course of the working year finally explode due to drink and the opportunity to grab a kiss under the mistletoe.”
“The good news for cheats is that they are very unlikely to get caught out if they start an affair at this time of year, though they are advised not to flaunt their new love in front of their colleagues.”
More than 1 million people have registered with IllicitEncounters.com since it started – and thousands of people begin new affairs each week. The peak time for new registrations is the first two weeks of January when disgruntled spouses return to work after the holidays realising their relationship is unfulfilling and seek someone new.
NOTES TO EDITOR
IllicitEncounters.com is the UK’s leading dating website for married people and the leading authority on infidelity. With over 1.2 million genuine UK users since 2004, you’re sure to find your perfect match.
Established in 2004, we have been providing a meeting place for like-minded married and attached people for nearly 14 years. Our members have one thing in common – they are all looking for a little romance outside their current relationship. Whether that’s the occasional bit of flirtatious chat, a regular coffee date, or a full-blown affair, that’s up to them.
We’re always more than happy to talk about IllicitEncounters.com – please contact Christian Grant through the details below – but we’re not willing to speak publicly about SaraHartley.net at this moment in time.
Email: presspr@illicitencounters.co.uk
Tel: 020 7729 6098
Twitter: @cheatsafer
illicitencounterspress.wordpress.com 