A retired priest who hit the headlines when he married a male model 50 years his junior - and again when they split - has now revealed they're back together.

Retired Rev Philip Clements, 79, married Florin Marin, 25, in a low-key ceremony at Ramsgate Registry Office in April last year.

The pair made a stance against Church of England rules that bar clergymen from same-sex marriage.

Mr Clements then sold his £214,000 Eastry home to buy a flat in Mr Marin's native city Bucharest where they planned to start a new life together.

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

Left devastated, Mr Clements entered into a depression before revealing, in March, that he had met a 22-year-old student and wanted to divorce Mr Marin.

Now, it has emerged that the two have reconciled and have celebrated their first wedding anniversary together in Elche in Alicante, Spain - where Mr Marin now lives.

Although still living apart, they are making plans for the future and hoping for a fairytale ending.

Speaking exclusively to KentOnline, Mr Clements said: "Things are back on track.

"I spent six days with Florin in Alicante. Both of us are completely reconciled and are planning for the future.

"I'm going to stay the whole month with him in September.

"It didn't work with the other man. I did go and see him and spent time with him but to tell the truth, my heart was still with Florin."

Despite going their separate ways just months after tying the knot, the two didn't cut all contact.

Mr Clements said: "He initiated it, getting in touch with me. We were getting closer again as time went on. He came to see me in December and then I chose to go and see him last month.

"It was like a trial and it went so well.

"He hasn't got anybody else and I'm absolutely convinced of that.

"He took the week off and we did a lot together. We went to the beach and went to the spa. We had a nice time.

"It was as if we hadn't had the break up. It was right back to how it was.

"He was so nice and being so kind to me.

"If we get on in September we're going to talk about a long term get together.

"I'm also hoping to be with him at Christmas."

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

He says Mr Marin denies having been in another relationship and that his confession on Romanian television was part of a reality series.

He said: "Florin said it was all part of a mini soap opera that he does and they're told that when they talk to the press that they have to go along with the story line.

"I've told him that he shouldn't get involved with it."

Mr Clements said the duo have also been contacted by reality shows in England including Judge Rinder but declined the offer.

He continued: "I trust Florin. I have to, but because of what went wrong before, there's always going to be a slight hesitation.

"We're in touch almost everyday. I have enormous respect for the vows we took a year ago.

"He's not with me for my money. I haven't got any money now.

"I think he regrets the break up but it's made the heart grow fonder - especially on my part.

"I feel much happier because I have realised that there is this possibility in the future and I do want to be with him."

The two celebrated their first anniversary on Wednesday, April 25 with a dinner party attended by family and friends.

Mr Clements said: "We had a nice little party and Florin cooked a nice meal for us.

"We had a cake and sang happy anniversary."

Mr Clements, who is currently living in the annex of a friend's house says he hopes his friends will accept his decision to get back with Mr Marin.

He said: "I have heeded the advice of friends but I have to decide for myself in the few years remaining to me.

"I hope that all who have affection for me will come to accept both of us in the future and will share our happiness."

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.