Constantin Reliu, 63, was declared dead in 2016, around two decades after he left his native town of Barlad, Romania to work in Turkey.

He had no contact in the intervening period with his (allegedly unfaithful) wife, who reported him dead, The Independent reports.

Mr Reliu returned to Romania in January and has sought to annul the death certificate to allow him to enter legal employment again.

However, the judge ruled that the deadline for appealing a death certificate had passed and there was nothing they could do.

In another unfortunate twist, Mr Reliu’s wife has emigrated.