But the ONS findings show many Britons still cling to conservative values and suggest Miss Featherstone's claim that the UK is 'a world leader in gay rights' only applies to a minority of the population.

The report, based on sources including the annual British Social Attitudes survey and research by the EU's Eurobarometer research arm, said only 45 per cent of British people agree that 'homosexual marriages should be allowed throughout Europe'.

By outing himself as a believer - even in miracles, God help us - Skinner was sticking two fingers up at the liberal establishment. The BBC, a pillar of that establishment, for whom Skinner works, has shown what it thinks of religion. They have nipped and tucked at God slots for years, so now the skeletal model looks nothing like its original, vibrant self.

"That is a terribly hard thing," Robertson said. "I hate Alzheimer's. It is one of the most awful things because here is a loved one-this is the woman or man that you have loved for 20, 30, 40 years. And suddenly that person is gone. They're gone. They are gone. So, what he says basically is correct. But I know it sounds cruel, but if he's going to do something he should divorce her and start all over again. But to make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her."

Why? "County level data was not complete. We do not have data based on licensed, actual records in some states. In some states data was sampled," says Stephanie Ventura of NCHS. Accurate marriage data was coming only from 42 states; and complete divorce data from only 31 states.