by Eleanor Perkins and Molly Mileham-Chappell

A retired priest who hit the headlines when his marriage to a man 50 years his junior ended has revealed he has found new love with an even younger man.

Philip Clements, 79, first made the news when he married 24-year-old Romanian model Florin Marin last April.

But just weeks after the clergyman transferred ownership of his Bucharest flat over to his young love, the pair split and Mr Marin later admitted on Romanian Fashionista TV that he was dating someone else called Jesus.

Now, with a bout of depression behind him, Mr Clements has spoken candidly to KentOnline.

He says he wants to make the most of his remaining years - by getting divorced and enjoying a fresh start with a 22 year-old student who came to him in his darkest hour.

He said: “I’m optimistic that there is a future beyond this terrible, devastating situation.

“I’ve got my church, my friends and family. I’ve got this new partnership and hopefully he’ll be able to come over here and we can be with each other.”

Mr Clements, an ex-priest in Eastry near Sandwich, met Mr Marin on an online dating site almost four years ago.

In a public stance against Church of England rules that bar clergymen from same-sex marriage, the pair married in a low-key ceremony at Ramsgate Register Office in April 2017.

But while married life started off well in their new flat in the Romanian capital, bought by Mr Clements when he sold his Eastry home - things went downhill.

Returning practically penniless, Mr Clements says he has now settled in an annex attached to a friend’s home.

Despite talks, he has now confirmed a reconciliation with Mr Marin is off the cards.

He said: “I’m in touch with Florin via Messenger and generally we’re on amicable terms.

“He’s in Spain and denies he’s in a relationship with another man.”

Mr Clements says he is seeking legal advice over the splitting of the flat and envisages some complications due to the UK and Romania's differing laws.

He is particularly keen to recover his belongings which include some original artwork, antique furniture and clothing from the flat.

He said: "I invested everything into Florin. I was totally upset and heartbroken.

"I thought he cared for me and he said he'd be a carer for me in my old age but I've realised he didn't really have deep affection for me which is what I needed and when you're getting old you need it even more."

Age doesn’t matter

Mr Clements has not revealed the name of his new male friend, a 22-year-old university student from Transylvania, but said that he came to him in a time of need after reading reports in the media.

He said: "He got in touch with me to say how sorry he was. There was something about him that I liked. We got into texting each other and it went from there."

Mr Clements recently visited him in Romania spending part of their time in the countryside and the rest in the city of Ia?i.

They will see each other again in the summer and there are plans for them to be together in England after the man has completed his biology degree later this year.

He added: "The age doesn't matter to me. He's learning from me about life and I'm learning from him. He's preserving my youthfulness."

Dangers

Mr Clements has issued a warning about the dangers of internet dating after he says he was duped numerous times by potential lovers.

He said: “Be very careful because often it is money that they want.

"They will fool you and promise you all sorts, they will even say they’re on their way when they’re not.

“I’ve given people money for their fares and they haven’t turned up. The best thing would be to go out and meet them and not do it over text.”

He said he not referring to his failed marriage to Florin Marin, to whom he transferred ownership of his Bucharest flat in order to give him security when he dies.

Mr Clements, a former Dover Grammar School pupil, worked at libraries in Deal and Sandwich before beginning his training for the Anglican ministry and was once the chaplain of St Bart’s Hospital, Sandwich.

Since his retirement in 1999 he has helped out in the churches and schools of Eastry, Tilmanstone and Northbourne. He is also a published poet.