Identical twins: same man

When Roy Littlejohns married Michele Jones, he could have been forgiven a slight feeling of deja vu.

For two decades earlier, he had wed her identical twin sister Madelaine.

Mr Littlejohns's love for Michele grew after she made constant visits to the couple's home to see her sister.

After he broke the news to Madelaine, she said she never wanted to see Michele again. But Mr Littlejohns made peace between the twins, and now they say they are 'just as close as ever'.

It is a remarkable ending to the story of two sisters who had always done everything together.

Madelaine and Michele, 54, from Coventry, both married for the first time in 1970 on the same day, in the same ceremony, wearing matching dresses.

Sadly, both marriages were to end in divorce. Madelaine moved to Nuneaton, where she met Mr Littlejohns, manager of the hospitality company where she worked. When they married at Nuneaton Register Office in 1980, Michele's was the first name on the guest list.

Eight years later, Michele moved from Edinburgh to Northampton to be closer to her sister, brother-in-law and their daughter Gemma.

'For the first three months, Michele lived with us because she was waiting to move into her flat,' Madelaine told the current issue of Closer magazine. 'After that she came for lunch every Sunday and spent Christmas with us.'

When Madelaine had to go into hospital for six months in 1991, she said: 'Michele took over my role at home. I loved her being there. She and Roy became good friends while I was in hospital but I never felt pushed out or jealous.'

After she came out of hospital, however, the marriage began to fall apart. Madelaine said: 'I felt he was no longer as affectionate towards me.

'He was under pressure at work but we didn't discuss it. We barely talked or spent time alone.

'Although we never argued we stopped sharing a bedroom and didn't kiss or cuddle. I didn't worry that Roy was having an affair. He was too busy working.'

Eventually, Madelaine and Gemma, who is now 21, moved out of the house while Michele helped Roy with the cooking, ironing and cleaning. After she had divorced Roy, Madelaine was taken back into hospital where one day on a visit he dropped the bombshell of his relationship with Michele.

Madelaine said: 'Completely out of the blue he explained that he and Michele were having a relationship. Michele was moving into his house permanently. He didn't look guilty but he was worried about hurting me. I was so shocked I couldn't speak.

'I just waited in silence until he left. I felt angry and betrayed. I wanted Roy back but now Michele had him. It felt as though she'd taken something that was mine.

'The thought of them sleeping together was hurtful. I didn't feel jealous, just heartbroken and let down. I wished Michele could have chosen someone else.'

At that point she left an abusive message on her sister's answering machine. 'Roy heard it and rang me back,' she said.

'He insisted I hadn't meant what I said. He reminded me that blood is thicker than water and Michele and I love one another. I'd felt so angry but I knew he was right.

Michele was my twin and our relationship was more important than a marriage. I had to accept that they were together. I didn't want to lose Michele over Roy.'

Michele, who married Mr Littlejohns in Las Vegas last year, told Closer: 'Roy became a good friend when Madelaine was ill. Over time we became fond of one another and a relationship seemed the natural progression. Although I'm married to him, that doesn't alter how much I love my sister.'

Mr Littlejohns, 56, said: 'The twins aren't that different, but Michele is more worldly wise and we have more in common. I don't have the job commitments I had when I was with Madelaine, so we can spend more time together.

'My relationship with Michele is more romantic. It's also easier and happier. We are more affectionate and hold hands which is something that dwindled with Madelaine. But we'll always be close.'