Hunky backpacker ditched by his travel buddy is bombarded with offers from women eager to step in

Backpacker Paddy James, 23, from Southampton has been inundated with offers from female admirers after his friend posted an appeal for a new travelling companion for him on Facebook. Photo / Facebook

A British backpacker whose friend dropped out of their trip around Australia may be feeling thankful for the last minute change of plan - after being inundated with offers from women who want to step in as his travelling companion.

Robert Keane, 27, from Ireland, had to cancel on his friend Paddy James, 23, just two weeks before their trip along the east coast this month and posted a message on the Australian Backpackers Facebook page, appealing for a replacement, the Daily Mail reports.

Robert Keane's post was very well received.

He helpfully included pictures of Paddy, from Southampton, showing off his chiselled chest on the beach and wading out of the ocean like Daniel Craig in his famous scene from the 007 film Casino Royale.

And within hours, Paddy was bombarded with messages from potential female travel companions, and even an offer of marriage from one ardent admirer.

"He didn't really expect that response,' Robert, who works in marketing in Sydney, told FEMAIL.

This picture of Paddy James emerging from the water was particularly popular. Photo / Facebook

'It was heart-warming to see all the help and support people were offering. The offers were crazy."

"I received a mixture of messages: some from people travelling around the same time, others asking me to go different dates.

Paddy has since received around 100 friend requests and over 150 private messages from potential female travelling companions. Photo / Facebook

"Some were offering to show me around when I'm in different cities and some girls even asked me to visit their country."

One girl even joked that she was going to Vegas with Paddy to "put a ring on it straight away".

Robert added: "I felt bad I left him alone and was hoping someone would agree to go with him.

Paddy (pictured) did not expect to get so many offers from travelling companions, let along marriage proposals. Photo / Facebook

"Little did either of us expect him to get hundreds of offers."

Despite the overwhelming response, Paddy has yet to find a travel companion who is leaving Sydney on the same date as he is.