A Greenwich restaurant owner shocked television viewers last night (September 24) with tales of his two wives and fourteen children. 

Aleh Tahir, who owns the Nur Muhammad restaurant in Trafalgar Road, Greenwich, appeared on the Channel 4 documentary Men With Many Wives, alongside his two brides.

Of Malaysian origin, Mr Tahir allowed Channel 4 insight into his belief in polygamous marriage and how it links to his Islamic faith. 

Mr Tahir, standing with his two wives, explained: "Each wife has their own strength."

Pointing to his two wives, he said one was good at cooking while the other was better at managing - making them a strong team in the restuarant. He added: "They work together nicely".

His first wife Alikah went on to explain why she believes in polygamy, adding: "Normally in marriages, after five years, you get to know the true colours of each other and you start to take each other for granted." 

Mr Tahir is also part of The Obedient Wives Club, an Islamic organisation which, according to its website, teaches wives to "be submissive and keep their spouses happy in the bedroom".

Its Facebook page reads: "A man married to a woman who is as good or better than a prostitute in bed has no reason to stray."

Polygamy, although illegal under UK law is permitted under Sharia law and it is estimated that as many as 20,000 polygamous marriages exist within the UK.