Will your other half cheat today?

The New Year - it’s great, isn’t it? You can practically smell the optimism in the air. This time of year is all about trying new things and while most people opt for a new hobby or a hardcore fitness regime, some take this idea a bit too literally and start an affair.

According to today's Irish Independent, January 4th has officially become known as “the most adulterous day of the year” according to a leading extra-marital affair website – bet you didn’t know that when you said goodbye to your other half this morning.

IllicitEncounters.com already has 43,000 Irish members, but expects a 300 per cent rise in new members this week alone.

The reason? While Christmas is great craic, most couples can’t stand spending such an intensive period of time together. You know how it goes, for the first few days of the holiday season it’s all hugs and pet names - by the end you’re dying to get back to work just so you have some space.

“January 4th is typically the first day back to work where spouses can take the opportunity to log on to the computer and do all the things they couldn’t do under the watchful eye of their partner,” says Rosie Freeman-Jones, a spokeswoman for the site and extra-marital expert.

There is a catch though. While women can join the website for free, men have to dig deep and fork up over €100 per month for the pleasure of seeing what's on offer (typical).

Maybe it’s time to run home and rip the laptop out of the clutches of your beloved…we’re just saying…