Steve McPherson – who appeared stark bollock naked when a picture of him appeared on the Web next to an impassioned plea to get hitched – has turned down the chance to wed Sarah Jay.

Miss Jay, as you’ll recall, posted the picture (which later carried a fig-leaf to cover his dangly bits) alongside the caption: "This is Stephen, and he is the man I want to Marry.

"The problem is he doesn't quite agree, so I've put his picture on the net and am asking you to help persuade him to say YES, and until he does this picture is here to stay.

"I Love him, I want him. Please help me out."

The site – and the picture – have since disappeared (unless you can help us out) but the Telegraph has managed to catch up with Steve.

And it seems he’s just not ready for that kind of commitment at the moment.

"She's not my type," grumbled the 24-year-old law clerk at the Serious Fraud Office.

"We do not have a relationship. She must have been trying to woo me but it seems a funny way to go about it," he said.

Funny way of going about it? You ain't joking ,pal.

Anyhow, despite all Miss Jay's efforts it seems she’ll have to find someone else. Unless Steve’s "no" is really a "yes" which means he actually prefers the thrill of the chase...

Earlier this week El Reg had the sad task of informing readers that Kay Hammond – the woman who tried to find a husband by auctioning herself online to the highest bidder – has given up on her chances of becoming a wife after accepting that the £250,000 bid was a hoax.

Oh well. ®

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