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Puzzle fan Graham Parker has finally solved his Rubik's Cube - after 26 years' worth of attempts.
Delighted Graham, 45, from Portchester, Hants, has been tirelessly trying to solve the riddle of the Cube since he bought the toy in 1983.
Married dad-of-one Graham has endured endless sleepless nights and after more than 27,400 hours he finally managed to conquer his personal Everest.
Builder Graham said: "I cannot tell you what a relief it was to finally solve it. It has driven me mad over the years - it felt like it had taken over my life.
"I have missed important events to stay in and solve it and I would lay awake at night thinking about it.
"Friends have offered to solve it for me and I know that you can find solutions on the web but I just had to do it myself.
"I have had wrist and back problems from spending hours on it but it was all worth it.
"When I clicked that last bit into place and each face was a solid colour I wept."
Long-suffering wife Jean, 47, said the cube has frequently put a strain on their marriage, causing blazing rows between the pair.
Jean even admits at times it has felt as though there has been three people in their marriage for the past 26 years.
Understanding Jean said: "When I met Graham he was already obsessed with the cube - spending hours on it every day.
"I have often thought about getting rid of it but I knew he would not rest until he had solved it, which thankfully he has done."
Ray Hodgkin of the governing body for Rubik's Cube competitions, the World Cube Association (WCA), said: "I think this is definitely the longest it has ever taken someone to complete a Cube.
"I am impressed by Graham's dedication - the Rubik's Cube can be a very frustrating thing. The WCA would like to congratulate him on his achievement."
The Rubik's Cube was invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor Erno Rubik but was originally called the Magic Cube.
More than 300 million have been sold worldwide and there are an astonishing 43 quintillion different possible configurations and only one solution.
Support group 'Cubaholics' was set up in 1980 to help addicts kick the habit and Rubik's cubes are so compulsive they have given rise to two medical conditions - Cubist's Thumb and Rubik's Wrist.
Erik Akkersdijk of the Netherlands holds the record for a single solve with a time of 7.08 seconds.
