‘I didn’t know being single could be so good!’

Helen Thorn – comedian, author and one half of the awardwinning podcast The Scummy Mummies – was in a 21-year relationship and had been married for 10 years to her partner. But just before the first lockdown in March 2020, she discovered he was having an affair and they divorced last year.

Nearly two years on, the mum-of-two tells Closer that she now believes being single is the “ultimate prize” and wouldn’t change a thing.

Helen, 43, says, “I didn’t know that being single could be so good. I think because we’re constantly being dripfed that coupling up equals success and makes you complete – but actually, I feel more complete now, because every day I wake up and I have control over my life. I don’t have any compromises, and I enjoy my friends and being a mum more because I don’t have somebody telling me what to do!

“I feel like I’ve won the ultimate prize by being single. It doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy dating and sex, but I don’t have anyone who’s significant in my life because everything else is fulfilled. I just feel peak happiness.”

She adds, “I would be open to another serious relationship one day, but they’d have to be pretty spectacular to interfere with the life that I have because I feel so settled now. That’s the biggest change – when you’re dating in your thirties, you’re thinking, ‘Could this guy be my future husband?’ and now I’m like, ‘This is fun for a few hours on a Friday night!’.”

And Helen stresses that love comes from many people in your life. Most importantly – from yourself.

She says, “Don’t think that romantic love is the ultimate love. You’ll be loved by friends, work colleagues, children and relatives. And of course there’s self love! It doesn’t have to be dating or sex, it could be finding something new about yourself.

“I really believe a break-up is an opportunity rather than a failure. It’s a chance to start an exciting new life – so go for it!”