If you've suffered the horror, possibly humiliation, of a broken engagement, take comfort this Valentine's Day - you're not alone.
And, very possibly, you've not had to go through the wringer with the world and his happily-married wife watching every comfort chocolate you scoff, every bag full of shopping therapy you carry, every misjudged rebound kiss.
Happy days for Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, co-stars of The Notebook
So here, for broken hearts everywhere, is a lesson in how to split with dignity, divide up the spoils and - shivers at the thought - hand back the ring, even in the glare of the ready-to-pounce paparazzi...
Celebrity Engagements
Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck(01 of17)
WESTWOOD, CA - JULY 27: (FILE PHOTO) Actors Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez attend the premiere of Revolution Studios' and Columbia Pictures' film 'Gigli' at the Mann National Theatre July 27, 2003 in Westwood, California. Lopez and Affleck postponed their wedding, which was scheduled for this weekend, and has now reportedly spit up, possibly temporarily. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Heather Locklear & Jack Wagner(02 of17)
LONDON - AUGUST 5: Heather Locklear and Jack Wagner attend the the FitFlop Shooting Stars Benefit Closing Ball following a two-day golf tournament raising vital funds for Make-A-Wish Foundation UK at the Royal Courts of Justice on August 5, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images for FitFlop Shooting Stars Benefit) (credit:Getty)
Kat Von D & Jesse James(03 of17)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: TV Personalities Kat Von D and Jesse James attend the 2011 Art Of Elysium 'Heaven' Gala held at the California Science Center on January 15, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Art of Elysium) (credit:Getty)
Jay Cutler & Kristin Cavallari(04 of17)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 28: NFL player Jay Cutler and Kristin Cavallari arrive at the premiere of Summit Entertainment's 'Source Code' at ArcLight Cinemas on March 28, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Hugh Hefner & Crystal Harris(05 of17)
Playboy owner Hugh Hefner arrives with Playmate and actress Crystal Harris at the world premiere of the restored 'A Star is born' during the opening Night Gala of the 2010 TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood, California, on April 23, 2010. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Ali Fedotowsky & Roberto Martinez(06 of17)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 28: Ali Fedotowsky and Roberto Martinez arrive at Orlando Hudson's Strike Out! Autism Bowling Fundraiser on July 28, 2011 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for C.A.T.C.H Foundation) (credit:Getty)
Demi Moore & Emilo Estevez(07 of17)
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Hayden Christensen & Rachel Bilson (08 of17)
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 08: Actors (L-R) Hayden Christensen and Rachel Bilson attend a cocktail party in honor of designer Kris Van Assche and hosted by GQ & Dior Homme at The Cooper Square Hotel Penthouse on September 8, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for GQ Magazine) (credit:Getty)
Lance Armstrong & Sheryl Crow(09 of17)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - DECEMBER 01: Bicyclist Lance Armstrong and musician Sheryl Crow pose inside at the GQ 2005 Men Of The Year celebration at Mr. Chow Beverly Hills on December 1, 2005 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for GQ) (credit:Getty)
Mary Louise Parker & Jeffrey Dean Morgan(10 of17)
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Gwyneth Paltrow & Brad Pitt(11 of17)
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Evan Rachel Wood & Marilyn Manson(12 of17)
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Ryan Reynolds & Alanis Morissette(13 of17)
HOLLYWOOD - CA, DECEMBER 7: (L-R) Actor Ryan Reynolds with Alanis Morissette at the premiere of 'Blade Trinity' after party held at the Level 7 club Hollywood and Highland on December 7, 2004 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Ryan Gosling & Rachel McAdams(14 of17)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 28: Actor Ryan Gosling (L) and actress Rachel McAdams arrive at the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 28, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Luke Worrall & Kelly Osbourne(15 of17)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: DJ Luke Worrall and Kelly Osbourne arrive at 7th Annual Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party at MILK Studios on September 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Bristol Palin & Levi Johnston(16 of17)
ST. PAUL, MN - SEPTEMBER 03: Bristol Palin (L) and her boyfriend Levi Johnston stand on stage during day three of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Xcel Energy Center on September 3, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The GOP will nominate U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) as the Republican choice for U.S. President on the last day of the convention. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Julia Roberts & Kiefer Sutherland(17 of17)
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