John and Norma Major were close to divorce in the late 1980s, it is claimed today.

As senior Tories close ranks around the former premier following further revelations about his affair with Edwina Currie, it has been reported that his marriage was on the rocks just before he became prime minister.

Norma Major, who instructed her husband to end his four-year liaison with the former health minister, also sought legal advice on a divorce.

The news that Mrs Major was set to end their marriage is said to have led Mr Major to plead for a second chance.

A potentially messy divorce in the late 1980s would have damaged Major's chances of becoming Tory leader, insiders say.

In the latest serialisation of her "kiss and tell" memoirs, Currie says that she was first attracted to Major because he was someone "who likes to walk on the edge, take a risk".

She says she also criticised Major for not appointing any women to his cabinet.

Currie was last night on the receiving end of a barrage of criticism from leading Tories.

David Mellor, the former cabinet minister, accused her of behaving "like a cheap trollop".