“Do I have a happy marriage? No. Do I have a successful marriage? Yes”.

The ‘Grant Study’ is the longest-running study ever conducted on human relationships.

The research tracked the lives of more than 240 men over more than 70 years. According to the ‘Grant Study’ a quarter of the men surveyed stayed in stable marriages described as “so-so” whilst a fifth spent a lifetime in an “unhappy” marriage.

The study also found evidence that men who had a warm relationship with their own father were more likely to make good husbands.

We spoke to Rashida (not her real name) as she explained why her unconventional marriage works.

“Studies are all well and good. But real life, what goes on behind closed doors can be far more insightful.

“My husband and I have been in separate bedrooms following the birth of our second child. It was a natural transition. He moved into the spare room as the new baby kept waking him at night.

“My husband works long hours in the city. It was the easiest way for him to get his sleep and for me to be able to feed the baby in peace.

“Five years later, we remain in separate bedrooms. “I can’t fathom the thought of him sharing my bed any more.

"I have gotten used to having my own space, watching programmes on my iPad at night and sleeping with the lights on. “It wasn’t always this way. You couldn’t tear us apart in the early years of our marriage.

“But as time has gone on, I have started practising Islam more actively. And I consider many of his actions as wrong.

“So I started refusing to do those things that he demanded sexually.

“We haven’t had any physical relations since he moved into the spare room. I know how strange that sounds, but that’s just the way it is.

“I’m no fool, I know he has needs. But I turn a blind eye to his dalliances.

“What’s the point in addressing them? She said as long as her financial requirements were met she was not about to complain.

“You can’t have everything in life." she continued. “And romance in a marriage has to be replaced with practicality in order to make it work.

“If he can get his physical needs met elsewhere without disrupting the domestic harmony, then so be it.

“I believe this is the more sensible approach.”

According to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics, divorce rates have increased across England and Wales.

“There is still a huge stigma attached to divorce in the Asian community.

“People do not look too kindly or empathetically towards women who push for divorce, particularly when children are involved.

“Besides, staying married means my children have security. And they have a stable home.

“And he is a great dad. No amount of extra marital affairs could change that. “No marriage is perfect.

“I have been to many Muslim circles where they talk about how to be a good spouse. One speaker even said advised changing hairstyles every six months to keep the husband interested, and applying fresh makeup before he walked in the door after work.

“The Imam even said women should send romantic text messages to their husbands during the day.

“No amount of makeup or sexting could lure my husband back. He lost interest a long time ago.

“Whilst my husband and I may not sleep together, we are great partners in other aspects of life.

“Our marriage may not be conventional, but we never argue. And together we are a strong team.

“Socially we retain a united front.

“That for me means my marriage is a success.”