Britain's most married man wants to marry again after he was dumped by ninth wife

An unlucky-in-love great-grandfather, who is the most married man in Britain, has set his sights on tying the knot again after being ditched by the woman set to be his ninth wife.

Ron Sheppard was stunned when Cristel Marquez, who is 41 years his junior, walked out on him on Friday, but now says he wants to find someone 'more mature'.

He has said that around 30 is the 'perfect age' and said he is speaking to a number of women on Facebook.

Ron, 69, thought Cristel, 28, was 'the one' until she left while he was out. He claims the former call centre worker, who is from the Philippines, has been told by the Home Office that she must leave the country.

Ron tied the knot to first wife Margaret back in 1966, and has been periodically divorcing and remarrying since.

He now says he wants to find a bride who is around 30 - which he described as the 'perfect age'.

The retired holiday camp entertainer from Martock, Somerset, said: "She [Cristel] got a bit stroppy really.

Ron has been married eight times and his longest union lasted 13 years and the shortest was just 10 months.

Ron first got married in 1966, to Margaret. The couple had three children but divorced after two years.

Wife number two was Jeanette in 1973 and the marriage lasted a year.

The nine wives of Ron Sheppard

Wife No1: Margaret in 1966. Had three kids and divorced after two years.

Wife No2: Jeanette, 1973. Lasted one year.

Wife No3: Lesley, 1976. Had two boys. Ron left in 1981.

Wife No4: Kathy, 1982. Had one daughter.

Wife No5: Sue, 1986. They had two sons, but she threw him out in 1997.

Wife No6: Usha, 1999. Ended after four years.

Wife No7: Wan, 2003. She left to go home to Bangkok after eight months.

Wife No8: Weng, 2004. Split up in 2015.