As we prepare for Bridgerton’s Penelope to finally break out of the friendzone with Colin in the upcoming season, a new study reveals that nearly a third (29%) of Brits currently
in relationships are suffering from unrequited love – ouch.

The study, by
Paddy
Power Bingo,
asked the nation to spill their experiences of unrequited love, the act of having romantic feelings for someone who doesn’t feel the same way, and the embarrassing
lengths they would go to for their crush. Just as Pen has adored Colin with nothing in return, the study revealed that over two thirds (67%) of Brits have experienced unrequited love, with 19% currently in love with someone who isn’t reciprocating.

Surprisingly, this curse is not exclusive to singletons, as 17% of married Brits and 14% of those living with their partner report that their relationship is either one sided,
or their feelings are for somebody else – a tragedy of the highest order!

Despite years of viewing women as sole sufferers of the unrequited curse, men were found to be 7% more likely to suffer a one-sided love (71% vs 64%). However, true to stereotypes,
nearly half (47%) of women who have experience unrequited love admit to crying themselves to sleep over their unreturned affection.

Unsurprisingly, unrequited love is causing the nation to feel lonely (44%), embarrassed (37%) and rejected (36%) but the good news is that 11% of sufferers feel hopeful that
their crush will change their mind and 11% feel empowered that they can get through anything after suffering this, the worst of fates.

To dive further into the tragedy of unrequited love, the study asked the nation about the cunning, and let’s face it often embarrassing, tactics they have employed to attract
the attention of their crush.