How to dump someone in 10 easy steps

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Diamonds are forever, but most relationships aren't diamonds. Chances are that you will dump and be dumped at least a few times in your life, and neither experience is pleasant.

But if you've lost that lovin' feeling, breaking the news is a chore that's got to be done, and it's worth doing right - because the way you leave says more about you as a person than a hundredweight of pressies or promises ever can.

We've all heard about those inspirational couples who fell in love at 16 and remain blushingly besotted 50 years later. That's lovely. But most people, and most relationships, are not like that.

We mortals are vulnerable to emotions and events that banjax our pairings with people who'd once seemed to be our made-to-measure soulmates. Insecurities, doubts, infidelities or just plain old lack of chemistry can sometimes be worked through, and sometimes they can't. If you've given it a fair chance but it just won't work for you, it's time to move on.

- See our 10-step damage-limitation strategy for saying goodbye