69-year-old gets marriage proposals after eight girlfriend dumps him

Britain's most married man, who can't wait to be married for the ninth time, says he has been inundated with romantic overtures from across the world ever since his latest fiancée packed her bags.

Ron Sheppard, 69, said he can't believe the flurry of interest from as far as the US, Vietnam, Ghana and Australia, Daily Mirror, UK, reported.

The great grandfather, who is also a professional impersonator, says that at least 10 women have contacted him looking for love since he declared himself single. "I would expect wife number nine shortly at this rate," he said. "I just can't fathom what they see in me. Perhaps it's all part and parcel of being internationally notorious."

Last year, Sheppard, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, flew in Cristel Lalec from the Philippines in the hope that they would wed and live a happy life. They spent 12 months together in the market town of Somerton, Somerset, until she broke-up with him recently.

Sheppard says that it had something to do with his love for impersonations, particularly his take on funny man Norman Wisdom. "She hated that impression, but I have so much more to give - I can do Frankie Howerd and Elvis," he says, adding, "I can't change who I am and that is the key to any relationship. You have to be true to who you are, so the impressions stay."

He is looking forward to being married again. "Wife number nine has to be the one - even I couldn't face a tenth," he ends.