Zoo advises on dumping girlfriend ahead of Euro 2004

LONDON - The latest issue of Emap's lads weekly Zoo is offering readers advice on how best to dump their girlfriend to ensure hassle-free enjoyment of Euro 2004, following new research.

The magazine says that its research found that serious football fans must act now and do the deed no later than June 1, giving girlfriends (or ex-partners) 12 full days to properly get over the split.

Zoo says it surveyed 1,500 16- to 34-year-old men with the aim of finding out how long it takes to reach a stress-free state following a relationship break-up, as England prepare to take on France.

Paul Merrill, Zoo editor, said: "Any relationships that have the potential to make you miss any action should be terminated just under 12 days before the start of the championships, ensuring no unwanted disruptions. Our research should give the correct course of action required to make it a smooth transition to bachelorhood -- well, at least until the championships finish."

Last week, Emap announced that Zoo had achieved a weekly sale of more than 150,000 following £4m of investment in the title.

The research found that more than 25% of the men questioned said their girlfriend would not take no for an answer, often turning up uninvited weeks after the split.

Other statistics to emerge were that as 47% of men said that it is not unusual to have to endure late night phone-calls and text messages, which often result in girlfriends muscling their way back in approximately seven days after being dumped.

As well as advice on dumping, Zoo is also offering its readers the chance to win back their girlfriends after Euro 2004 ends in tears. Its top tip for winning back is to take her up for a Champagne breakfast in a hot air balloon, followed by a dream-shopping day with a personal shopper to help at each of her favourite boutiques.

Zoo's Top 10 Dumping Facts and Figures for Euro 2004

1. 48% of men get back with their partners after splitting up for the first time

2. 26% of men claim to have made the first move for a reconciliation after break-ups

3. 89% of men would rather watch England vs France in the Euro 2004 opening game than take Kylie out for dinner

4. 14% of men said they would have no hesitations to dump their partners in favour of Euro 2004

5. 99% of men will ignore any phone calls made to them by their partners while at the pub watching England play in Euro 2004

6. 89% of men would prefer to watch Euro 2004 with their mates as opposed to the girlfriend

7. 78% of men claimed they will watch every televised match of Euro 2004, not just England's matches

8. 35% of men will spend more time at the pub than at home during the three-week tournament

9. 61% of men will get drunk every day of the tournament

10. A mere 3% of men claimed they would not have sex on the morning of the England Vs France game as it might harm their preparations

Zoo's Top 10 Dumping Tips

1. Have a message appear on the giant video screen down the football at half time. She'll be in a crowd so she won't feel alone

2. Get her mate to tell her, this way she'll have a shoulder to cry on straight away 3.

Phone her work and get her boss to send her a memo telling her.

4. Send her a text or email, she'll appreciate it because it means she won't have to see you

5. Don't tell her you’ve dumped her. Simply change your identity and ignore her. This way, it's sure to be a clean break. If she doesn't take the hint though, you're doomed

6. Write a song or poem for her, make it catchy so that it sticks in her head

7. Singing telegrams are good. As are clowns or apes. This will cheer her up and deliver the message in one

8. Let her down gently, with the good news/bad news, "The good news Is that Heskey is injured, the bad news is you’re dumped"

9. When you text into a TV programme to request your favourite song, dump her, killing two birds with one stone

10. Tell her she's not as good looking as her mum, that way, she’ll dump you and you’ll be guilt free

If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the .

Topics

Market Reports

Get unprecedented new-business intelligence with access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s new Market Reports.

Find out more

Enjoying ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s content?

 Get unlimited access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s premium content for your whole company with a corporate licence.

Upgrade access

Looking for a new job?

Get the latest creative jobs in advertising, media, marketing and digital delivered directly to your inbox each day.

Create an alert now

Partner content