An ex priest who married a male model 50 years younger than him says separating from his partner would be like "losing a leg".

Philip Clements, 80, has been back together with Florin Marin, 25, for seven months after they separated weeks after the former clergyman transferred ownership of his flat to his young love.

"I love him to bits. Sometimes we have a little row but underlying it all I have a deep affection for him," the pensioner told the Sun newspaper.

Scroll down for video

"I love him to bits, if we were permanently separated, I would be the most unhappy person in the world."

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.

Mr Clements said: "When I was separated from him, and in times past, I virtually had a depressive breakdown because I missed him.

“It was like losing an arm or a leg. I knew for certain that I needed him.

“You can’t explain these things scientifically."

The couple don't live together as Florin is working in Spain and told The Sun they are on WhatsApp almost everyday to keep the flame alive.

"Now it’s much better than in the past," Florin said in the report.

"Philip had to change from the beginning to understand more my culture, from where I come from, how I am… all this stuff.

“Sometimes he doesn’t understand the culture - he’s English, I’m Romanian, I have my manners, he has his manners.

“We don’t think the same.”

Philip added: “That’s what makes our relationship so special - he is different.

“Two people who marry each other and who are exactly the same in temperament and character it must be dull.

“We are not dull.”