Debate sparked after expert claims common thing all couples do actually kills relationships

Telling people how to behave in relationships will always be a tricky one.

One thing that might work perfectly well for one couple might be the complete worst thing for another couple.

That's why a big debate has been sparked after life coach and former monk Jay Shetty, 36, has claimed that the most common thing all couples do can actually harm relationships.

London-born Shetty quit his corporate job to become a monk years ago, and when he returned to the UK, his videos on life advice have made him one of the most followed figures in the field.

The published author and podcast host has had some deep-dive interviews with the likes of Kim Kardashian, Tom Holland and US President Joe Biden, to name a few and his videos have had millions of views.

However, in a snippet from his appearance on Steven Bartlett's Diary Of A CEO podcast, Shetty seems to have divided the crowd with this one.

He basically says that watching TV with your partner is the 'lowest form of intimacy' and should be avoided.

"Learning something with your partner will be more memorable than any amount of time on Netflix," he wrote in his caption to the clip.

In the interview from last year, he said: "Most of us only do one thing with our partners: watching TV. And that is the lowest form of intimacy that you could possibly ask for with any human being."

He explained: "If you and I watch TV together for 200 hours a year, we would potentially be no closer than we were before. I have this of intimacy, and entertainment is on the lowest rung of the ladder.

"But that is what the majority of couples are doing. So if we're only watching TV together, I promise you, that relationship is not growing.

"It is actually falling apart slowly, and you have no idea. I know it is a painful truth to accept."

Taking to the comments, one viewer argued: "Damn Jay. We are tiiired at the end of the night once the kids go down. TV is our time."

Another said: "If both people are only mindlessly watching TV together, then yes, this is true. But I think it also can be used as an inspiration or a stepping stone for them to find another common interest/passion to share together which would lead to more intimacy."

But someone else agreed with Shetty's advice and even left her husband because of it.

"YES!!! This is all my husband ever wanted to do with our lives! I left the marriage and have done so much more since," they said.

Like most things - it's what works for you that's important.