One in five married people is in love with someone other than their partner – most likely a friend or work colleague.

These rather unromantic statistics come from a survey of 3,000 people, which also found that one in four is not entirely happy in their present relationship. Even those extremely content with their spouse admitted to sometimes having feelings for someone else – 50 per cent say they’ve been attracted to or felt affection for a third party. One in six of those who fall for another will embark on an affair.

One in 25 people questioned for the study, carried out by www.OnePoll.com, said they had been in love with someone else for more than five years and one in 50 said they had loved another for as long as they could remember. Furthermore, 29 per cent of men and 19 per cent of women claimed they were planning to leave their partner.

The poll, published this week, has received widespread press coverage, but I don’t find the results all that surprising. The fact is that dissatisfaction with life is pretty widespread in our society – and that extends to relationships.

What’s more, people are marrying much later than they used to – so by the time they walk down the aisle they’re likely to have a few relationships under their belts – and lingering affection in their hearts. Once the honeymoon period is over and the marriage becomes less than exciting, it’s not unusual for people to hark back to previous romances – particularly those that never reached the humdrum stage – and wonder if perhaps they wouldn’t be happier with those lost loves. It’s human nature to yearn for what we don’t have and the past is often viewed through rose-coloured spectacles.

It is also easy to imagine you are “in love” with someone other than your partner when in fact you just harbour lustful thoughts about them. A charismatic work colleague or the spouse of a friend can seem a much more exciting proposition than the person with whom you share the domestic chores.

In my years as a matrimonial lawyer, I have seen many people leave their partners for a “fling”, only to find that once the headiness was over, there was no substance to the relationship. Even many of those whose affairs become lasting relationships aren’t necessarily happier with their new loves than they were with the old.

So if you are fantasising about the person on the other side of the office or hankering for a past lover, try to put it into perspective and don’t assume your current relationship isn’t good enough. Instead of drooling over the memory of a former squeeze, remember their bad points and why the relationship didn’t work out.

It’s far more constructive to appreciate the person you’re with – and to enjoy the stability and companionship of a settled relationship.

In my view, it’s entirely natural to be attracted to other people – however content you are with your partner. Even if you’re not particularly happy with your spouse, evidence has shown time and time again that the grass is not usually greener on the other side.