6 in 10 brides use dirty tricks to force men to pop the question

Six in ten scheming brides force men to go down on their knees by resorting to underhand tactics, suggests a survey.

Experts questioned as many as 3,600 women aged between 16 and 50 in the poll, commissioned by UKTV channel Really, and found 60% confessed using dirty tricks.

While 32% bullied their partner into proposing by threatening to leave him, 17% sent themselves flowers from a fake admirer to stir up their lover's jealousy.

And 10% intentionally fell pregnant or falsely alleged to be expecting to ensure their partner pops the question.

"Men have this commitment phobia, particularly young men. One of the classic ways to make them propose is to flirt with someone else so he starts to chase you again, or even to go to the extreme of dumping them and going out with someone else," the Scotsman quoted relationship expert Peter Spalton as saying.

"Backing off from him does make him want you. It's like saying 'aren't these sweets lovely - but you can't have one'. It's a classic European seduction technique," Spalton added.

Really channel head Clare Laycock also said: "Our findings highlight the sometimes shocking and bold lengths that some of us will go to in order to have our dream wedding."