A COUPLE found themselves splashed all over the Fleet Street tabloids 36 years ago over their marriage which only lasted four days.

Terry Langworthy, 44, of Teignmouth and Linsay Messerschmidt, 32, were wed on a Thursday and separated by the Tuesday.

She went out from a reception party to buy more drinks from a pub, but apparently never returned.

Four times married Terry, a chef and well known character in the town who had the nickname Maverick, initially shunned any publicity over the saga, but later spoke out.

He said he was upset and embarrassed the split had been made public and was hoping to get together with his ex-wife.

‘It was not my wish that it should be blown up like it was. This has been extremely embarrassing to me, and it has upset many members of my family.

‘Friends and relatives have been ringing me from all over the country wanting to know what is going on.

I have had all sorts of comments about it, and even ridicule, and I am a bit annoyed that Linsay has made so many comments to the press.

‘But now it has been sensationalised it is time to give my side.’

The couple met while working at a Teignmouth hotel and were married by special licence after a whirlwind romance. Linsay claimed they parted because she was not prepared to be the ‘little wife’ and stay at home.

But Terry, a former guardsman, declared: ‘ I just expected her to do the normal things that a wife does, but she did not like the idea. I have certain standards, but hers are different to mine.

‘I married her because I was lonely, but soon realised it was a mistake. It is just something that I want to forget as quickly as possible.

‘I hear she has a fourth husband lined up. I wish him the best of luck.

‘If he can make a go of it he is a better man than me.’

The new man in Linsay’s life is painter and decorator David Hooper, 24, who has only been married a few months himself.

The happy couple played pool together in their local pub, and said they planned to marry eventually.

‘She is quite a lively lady with a strong mind of her own, but we get on quite well and I am sure I can handle her.

‘I was taken aback by all the publicity she received but it does not make any difference.’

The split also seemed to have a happy ending for Terry. He bumped into his previous wife, Rose, and realised he still loved her.

‘Now I know that Rose is really the girl for me and I hope there can be a reconciliation.’