42 per cent had considered giving their relationship another go

Some realised they missed or still loved their ex-partner

The decision to divorce is always going to be difficult, and for many there can be good reason to end a marriage.



Yet, 50 per cent of divorcees have regrets about their break-up, a study revealed. Researchers found that after the dust settled, 54 per cent experienced second thoughts about whether they had made the right decision, with many realising they miss or still love their ex-partner.

For some, the regrets have been so severe that 42 per cent have had moments where they considered giving their relationship another go, with a large percentage actually making the effort to try again and 21 per cent of those still together now.

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Having second thoughts: Many divorcees regret their decision to separate with many feeling lonely or simply realising they were too hasty in calling time on their relationship

Almost half of those even went as far as to say they are happier or stronger than they were before the divorce.

One woman who regrets ever getting divorced from her husband is writer Jane Gordon. The mum of three separated from her partner after 25 years together and has now been divorced for 12 years. She previously told the Daily Mail in 2009:



Discovering the hard way: Jane Gordon regrets her decision to divorce her husband of 25 years

'When my husband and I parted, my view of divorce was simplistic. I believed in the notion of divorce as a clean break and imagined a 'fresh start' would solve all my problems.'

'As I have discovered the hard way, it is only now, after I received my decree nisi, that I am starting to realise the gravity of what I have done.

'It wasn't a decision made lightly, but I had no idea of the true complexity of unraveling a life that had been led in tandem with someone else for more than 20 years.'

A spokesman for the survey, who asked 2,000 UK men and women that have either divorced or called time on a long-term relationship of more than five years, says: 'Getting divorced is a huge step for any relationship, and sometimes, the words 'I want a divorce' can be said in the heat of an argument.

But once you calm down and really think about things, many realise it's the last thing they want, but by then, you can feel it's too late to take it back.

And even if you don't regret it immediately, dealing with the aftermath of a break-up can lead to more second thoughts. But it's great to see some have managed to talk about their regrets and give things another go.'

The study found one in five said the regrets started straight away, with another 19 per cent having second thoughts within a week of saying the D-word.

TOP TEN REASONS FOR REGRETTING A DIVORCE Missing an ex-partner Feeling like a failure Still being in love with an ex-partner Realising they were being unreasonable Feeling lonely Discovering the grass isn't always greener An ex-partner finding someone new Realising they are not better off on their own Damaging the relationship with their children Children's lives being affected Advertisement

But for some, it took longer with more than one in ten admitting it took a year or more for them to wish they hadn't left their partner.

Others admitted they wished they could take things back when the divorce officially came through. Especially when they have worked to divide their assets or started telling people they were calling it quits.

The survey, commissioned as part of the DVD release of The Love Punch also claimed that ninety five per cent believe the time apart during their break-up helped to ultimately save their relationship.

And another 33 per cent reckon it allowed them to take a step back and look at what went wrong in their marriage, while others said they were able to set aside their differences in that time.