This Is Guernsey

By Joel de Woolfson

Paul Eley’s email led to this Facebook group dedicated to him. (0638164)

PAUL ELEY’S now famous email – seeking a very specific flatmate – received national media attention yesterday.

The email, which was forwarded to thousands of people in a frantic 48 hours after the fiduciary administrator had originally sent it to just 10 colleagues on Tuesday, was read out in full on BBC 6 Music yesterday morning.

Presenter George Lamb said: ‘There’s a fella looking for a flatmate but he’s made some fairly definite stipulations of what he wants from a flatmate.’

He then proceeded to read Mr Eley’s email, in which the finance worker asked colleagues if they knew of a girl who would be interested in living with him, rent free, as long as she was prepared to perform duties ranging from cleaning to washing and ironing.

She also had to be between 18 and 26 years old and ‘preferably someone who is very tidy and reasonably nice to look at’.

Mr Lamb discussed the email on-air for about 10 minutes and asked for a caller’s opinion.

The caller said: ‘He does not need a flatmate, he needs a wife. It’s ridiculous. I would rather pay the rent.’

It is also understood that some islanders have forwarded the email to national tabloids, Soccer AM, lads’ mag FHM and even the Chris Moyles show on Radio 1 in an effort to get the story as much attention as possible.

An internet Facebook group dedicated to Mr Eley has received more than 83 messages, the majority of which hail him for brightening up their working week with his non-PC views.

‘Paul Eley, don’t ever change’ had 400 members this morning.

The group’s creator describes Mr Eley as a phenomenon who has provided so many people with unending laughter.

Group member Cameron Pattern wrote on the site: ‘Bahahaha, things have really escalated. Feel a bit sorry for Paul but I guess if it’s gone this far, it might as well go global.’

Leon Gardner said: ‘I have to say work has been very amusing today. If this gets in the papers or the Chris Moyles show, he will become the legend of Guernsey.’

Mr Eley’s friend Warren Oliveira added: ‘If this makes national papers and Chris Moyles’ show like I’ve heard it might, it will be awesome.’

And Alex Hockey simply said: ‘This man is my god.’

Mr Eley claimed in yesterday’s Guernsey Press that the ad was not serious, some of his workmates disagreed.

n Neither Mr Eley nor his employer wanted to comment when contacted yesterday.

Article posted on 12th September, 2008 - 2.29pm