A Very Ugly Break-Up

Man with 'face that makes children cry' splits from woman he met on website for the aesthetically challenged

The self-confessed 'ugly' couple who got engaged through Britain's first dating agency for the 'aesthetically challenged' have split up.

Tom Clifford and Janine Walker, who shared a mutual love of junk food and TV dinners, parted company last month following a whirlwind online romance. 

The couple hit the headlines last October after meeting on www.theuglybugball.com. 

They became engaged after only four dates and less than a month after joining the site.

Mr Clifford, 37, and Miss Walker, 32, were originally planning a winter wedding near their respective homes in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, but postponed the date and have now separated. 

Friends believe Mr Clifford - a carpet fitter who has a 'face that makes children cry' - may have got cold feet. 

Jessie Bridge, 31, who has known Miss Walker since childhood, said: 'All I'll say is that Janine and Tom have very definitely broken up. 

'It wouldn't be right for me to divulge information about the split, but I will say that Tom has been acting edgy about wedding plans for some time. 

'Objectively-speaking, it may well be that the thought of marriage pushed him over the edge.' 

Mr Clifford, who has been single since 1998, spotted Miss Walker on the site in August 2010. 

His first email to her read: 'Dear Janine, Just seen your beautiful face on The Ugly Bug Ball and would love to meet up. You live near me, so this shouldn't be a problem.

'I've got a face that makes children cry but, as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder - and I think you'll love me too.' 

Miss Walker, a shop assistant who lives with her parents, agreed. 

She said at the time: 'The rest, as they say, is history. I appreciate that Tom isn't Brad Pitt, but then I'm no Angelina Jolie either. 

'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and to me Tom's the perfect, handsome prince. 

'I'm just so pleased to have been able to meet him, and I'm head-over-heels in love.' 

The pair initially planned to marry in January, but postponed the ceremony until this summer. 

Childhood friend Miss Bridge said: 'Let's face it. Tom got cold feet and put it off for as long as he could. Now he's put it off completely.' 

Neither Mr Clifford nor Miss Walker were yesterday available for comment. 

But speaking last year, Mr Clifford said: 'I've been a joke to women for years because of the way I look. I always thought that I was too ugly to meet Mrs Right but my life changed when I met Janine. 

'She's beautiful and I love her in every possible way. I still can't believe this is happening.'

A spokesman for www.theuglybugball.com said: 'Life is about living, and if this couple want to do so alone, then that's up to them. We wish them the very best of luck.'

Source: Daily Mail   

Do you know any couples who met over the internet?

Do ugly people only marry other uglies?

If you had to choose, would you marry an ugly exterior/beautiful interior?

Vocabulary:

c________ (n) - the years when you aren't an adult

to p__ sth ___ - to postpone sth doing sth

to s___ - to notice sth or sb

w________ (adj) - describes events such as tours and romances which happen very fast

to get c___ f___ - to suddenly get scared of sth important that you had planned to do

h___-____-_____ in love - to be very much in love

e___ (adj) - nervous or worried abt sth

b_____ is in the eye of the b_______ (saying) - this means that not everyone has the same opinion about what is attractive

to p___ sb over the e___ (inf) - when a situation becomes too much for sb and it makes them go crazy

a carpet f_____ - someone whose job it is to cut and install carpets

let's f___ it - said before saying sth that is unpleasant but true

to be __ __ sb - it is their decision or responsibility

to h__ the h________ - to suddenly get a lot of attention in the news

to s____ (up) - when a relationship ends / s____ (past, past part)

j___ f___ - anything that you eat that is quick and easy but unhealthy

Grammar Point:

"Mr Clifford, who has been single since 1998..."

Mr. Clifford's previous relationship finished in 1998. He is still single now. So the action began in the past and continues now.

He is single since 1998. 😡

Structure:

present perfect (have + past participle) + since + date/when the action started

A: How long have you worked here? B: Since 2001.

He's been interested in tennis since he was at school.

I've only had one day off since last October.

Her English has improved since going to live in Edinburgh / since she went to live  in Edinburgh.

Practice some more at BBC Grammar Challenge.