Closer’s dating expert, Rebecca Twomey, finds the excuse to celebrate being single after new research claims women who never marry or have children are happier
It isn’t often that single life is championed, those of us who have ended up alone are often seen as having ill fortune and poor luck. So I’m sure you’ll join me in celebrating the news that something positive is being said about the lives of people without a plus one.
Drum roll please… new research has found women are happier without a husband or children. Pause on that for a minute, it’s a revelation. It also goes against everything we’ve learnt about love and living ‘happily ever after.’
Behavioural scientist, Professor Paul Dolan, found that men benefited from marriage because they “calmed down,” “take less risks” and “live longer” whereas women who marry “die sooner” claiming the healthiest and happiest women never marry or have children.
Paul – who is also dubbed a ‘happiness expert’ – believes the traditional markers of happiness are void. But am I really any happier than my married and coupled-up friends? Once the initial honeymoon period has worn off I have witnessed my loved-up pals revert back to their normal state suffering the same stresses and occasional down days like the rest of us. Life carries on regardless of your relationship status.
CHECK OUT: Celeb couples who hit the skids in 2019
CLOSER Celebrity breakup 2019 - stacked
Lily Allen and Meridan Dan
Singer Lily Allen announced she'd split from her boyfriend Meridan Dan after a three-year relationship. She admitted on the How To Fail With Elizabeth Dan podcast: "I've always had a boyfriend. "I don't at the moment. I'm single for the first time since I was about 15."
Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid
Last year Zayn and Gigi left fans devastated when they announced they'd split but a few days later they were spotted back together again. In conclusion: watch this space. However after it appeared that the pair didn't spend New Year's together, everyone was left wondering whether they'd split and according to Us Weekly they have.A source told the publication: "They're done. They could get back together, but it's over for now."
Tanya Burr and Jim Chapman
The Youtubers, who were thought to have a joint net-worth of around £4m, split in March after four years of marriage. "Just wanted to let you all know that a few weeks ago Jim and I made the painful decision to no longer be together," said Tanya in a statement on her Instagram."We have a huge amount of love and respect for each other and will continue to remain friends forever."
Megan Barton Hanson and Wes Nelson
Megan Barton Hanson and Wes Nelson split after a well publicised row following Wes's debut on Dancing on Ice, where he's paired with professional skater Vanessa Bauer.Despite a scathing social media take down, Megan was still in the audience cheering Vanessa and Wes on after the split.
Kaz Crossley and Josh Denzel
Sob! Hot on the the heels of Megan and Wes, Love Island coupleKaz Crossley and Josh Denzel announced an amicable split on Kaz's instagram."Sometimes things don't go the way you planned, but you have to be grateful for the journey."Thank you for everything especially showing me how to love myself again ❤ufe0f".
Nicola Thorpe and Charlie de Melo
You know what they say – don't mix business with pleasure. This Corrie workplace romance wasn't to last as Nicole Thorpe – who plays Nicola Rubinstein – and Charlie de Melo – who plays Imran Habeeb – announced their break up just ten months after going public.
Michael Parr and Isabel Hodgins
Micheal and Isabel, who first met while they both worked on Emmerdale, split after three years together. It was reported that clashing work commitments after Michael left the soap to crack America was the cause.
Adam Collard and Zara McDermot
The third Love Island couple to fall victim to the break up in 2019, Zara and Adam parted waysafter Adam went on a wild night out with his fellow Love Island lads, Jack Fincham and Sam Bird."Sometimes in life, you just aren't enough for someone; no matter what you do for them or how much you try to be," said Zara."For everyone asking if I'm ok, I don't know that I am. But I know that soon I will be. I will be strong and prove to myself that I can get through this."
Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson
It's safe to say that Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson had a rocky relationship after it came to light that he had cheated on her while she was pregnant with their first child together. Despite his unfaithfulness, she allowed him to be present when she gave birth and the pair seemed to have moved on from his infidelities. However in February 2019, gossip page Hollywood Unlocked reported that there were allegations that the basketball player cheated with Kylie Jenner's best friend Jordyn Woods. It's thought that Khloe and her baby daddy have now split.
Lady Gaga and Christian Carino
Lady Gaga and Christian Carino called time on their engagement and relationship just four months after he proposed to the pop star. Her representative confirmed the news to People magazine and a source told the publication: "[It] just didn't work out."
Rita Ora and Andrew Garfield
Despite stepping out publicly with the Spiderman actor in November last year, Rita and Andrew have kept their romance under wraps. But in March it was revealed by an insider that "Andrew split up with her recently and it's been hard going as they had spent a lot of time together."They spent Christmas together and she thought things were going well between them. She's cut up about the situation."
Stacey Dooley and Sam Tucknott
Stacey Dooley split from her long term boyfriend Sam Tucknott just months after winning 2018's Strictly Come Dancing. Sources blamed her busy rehearsal schedule and close friendship with professional dance partner Kevin Clifton for the breakdown of their relationship.
Jacquline Jossa and Dan Osbourne
Jacqueline reportedly kicked Dan out of the family home after he was accused of getting very intimate with Love Island's Alexandra Cane on a night out in Manchester in March.Both stars' reps claimed that nothing happened, and a spokesperson for Dan said that he was moving out "temporarily" to help his nan clear her house.
Melinda Messenger and Chris Harding
Despite appearing on Loose Women together in November and looking the ultimate picture of happiness, Melinda and her boyfriend Chris, who she met on Celebrity First Dates last year, split. According to a source, the relationship broke down after just one argument. And it didn't take long toturn sour.
Ulrika Jonsson and Brian Monet
After 11 years of marriage, Ulrika Jonsson and Brian Monet called time on their relationship. The TV presenter and American advertising executive had marriage counselling but unfortunately things didn't work out. Ulrika told Best magazine: "You can only resolve problems with another person."If I'm honest, getting another divorce age 51 is not where I thought I would be, so who knows? I just don't know what shape my future will take."I can't contemplate dating again. Then again, I've said I will never marry again before, and I did."The pair are parents to their son Malcom, 10, in 2014 Brian adopted Ulrika's daughter Bo, 18, (from her previous relationship with Markus Kempen) and the presenter is a mum to Cameron, 24, from her former marriage to John Turnball.
Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer
Love Island 2018 winners Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer called it quits in April 2019. The pair won the nation over during their time on the ITV show and many thought they'd live happily ever after however before Christmas they hit a rough patch and split. There were a lot of questions when they reunited just weeks before they hosted the NTAs red carpet together and their Love Island spin off show aired on TV. Despite their reunion, Dani moved out of their shared home and it wasn't long until Jack confirmed on Instagram that they "aren't meant to be".
Adele and Simon Konecki
After seven years together Adele and her husband Simon Konecki confirmed they'd split. A spokesperson for the singer said: "Adele and her partner have separated."They are committed to raising their son together lovingly. As always they ask for privacy. There will be no further comment."
Susanna Reid and Steven Parish
Good Morning Britain co-host Susanna Reid split from her boyfriend of six months Steven Parish in April, but insisted they remain good friends. "It's very sad, but they just couldn't make it work," a source told The Sun at the time. "They both work extremely hard and there wasn't enough time for romance."
Single life certainly has it’s struggles – cooking for one for starters, single person supplements and having to respond to questions such as ‘Why are you single?’ and ‘Do you have any funny dating stores?’ But every so often it’s important to take stock of all the benefits too: freedom, independence, really knowing yourself.
It’s something that struck a chord with me recently as I headed to a festival. When I floated the idea in the group WhatsApp – the couples all wanted to sign up to bank holiday hedonism but one was visiting in laws, another declined as she was still breastfeeding, while a third was gutted she was going with her boyfriend and his mates and another said her husband always drinks too much and he’d ruin it for her.
READ MORE:
NOW WATCH: Paul Knops dishes the dirt on Love Island
The first to sign up were naturally my fellow singles. We all arrived late (because we could), we laughed about our disastrous love lives and could talk openly without the risk of being disloyal to our non-existent partners. As my optimistic pal Johnny pointed out, we also had the potential to meet someone and that’s exciting in itself.
We had far too many rum cocktails, danced for hours and laughed a lot. I’d like to think we were happier in the moment than any couple would be that was of course until the hangover kicked in the next day
For more dating tips from Rebecca, follow her on Twitter@rebeccatwomey