Married men are far more likely to be without a close friend they can turn to in a crisis or serious situation than those who are single, a study has revealed.

The research, carried out by YouGov for the Movember Foundation, showed 11 per cent of single men said they did not have a close friend outside the home.

But this figure rose to 15 per cent among married men - the equivalent of two-and-a-half million British men, The Telegraph reported.

New research has revealed married men are much less likely than their single counterparts to have a close friend they can turn to in a crisis

A separate study last year revealed it is at 29 years old when we have the biggest circle of friends. through work, social media and old school mates.

Although our closest confidante is still most likely to be an old friend from school days, we actually have more in common with workmates.

A third of us admit having more in common with colleagues than friends and family, while 38 per cent have befriended at least 10 people at work.

The research by food supplier Genius Gluten Free found the office is now the most likely place to form relationships due to longer working hours.

High-pressured environments and working with like-minded people also cause people to bond.

And it seems you are likely to have most friends from the office if you work in marketing, who count 40 colleagues as pals.