The ideal number of sexual partners is 10

Usually quite an awkward one isn’t it? The conversation with your new partner about how many people you’ve slept with. Don’t worry though, some researchers have come up with the perfect number to dig you out of a hole with.

The number is 10, which is the answer that pleases most men and women. Over 1,000 people took part in an online survey for the dating website IllicitEncounters.com, which asked how many previous partners they would want their new other half to admit to having.

Between eight and twelve was the most popular answer, chosen by 38 per cent of women and 37 per cent of men. The poll suggests those who had more than 10 were considered promiscuous. Having fewer than 10 would be considered sexually inexperienced.

Men were particularly wary of women who had a higher score than 10. Any number higher than 20 put people off, according to the survey.

Another question asked people if they wanted to know the truth about how many people a new partner had slept with. In response, 35 per cent of women said they’d want to know a man’s total, while 30 per cent of men wanted to know a woman’s sexual history.