Anthony Willoughby, who lives and works in Tokyo, spent two days on Hamilton Island near the Great Barrier Reef staying with Ben Southall, the Petersfield adventurer who famously beat 35,000 other applicants to win the dream job of being caretaker at the paradise island.

Anthony, who still keeps a property near Petersfield, befriended Ben by chance nearly a year ago, before he became famous around the world as the public ambassador for the Queensland Tourism Board.

Anthony said: "I was back in the UK in January in a field with my wife near our house and we saw this fellow walking towards us with arm out stretched.

"'My name is Ben Southall and I am terribly sorry I need your help – I have got my Land Rover stuck down the lane in front of your house,' he said."

Anthony helped Ben and his girlfriend Bre out over the next three hours and it soon became clear they all had a mutual love of travel.

"We lamented together about the apathy and cynicism that has become England, where enthusiasm is still considered a mental disorder," Anthony said.

The next day Anthony set off to live and work in Tokyo while Ben returned to his job working at a turf company in Liss.

Not long afterwards Ben sent him an e-mail telling him he was bored in Hampshire and was planning his latest expedition.

Little did either man know this 'expedition' would change Ben's life forever, and the next time they would meet would be on a paradise island.

Anthony was invited over to take photos and videos of Ben's new home.

He met Ben and Bre after they had spent a frantic week promoting the island out on the road.

Despite being so busy, he said the pair were completely welcoming and hospitable to him.

Anthony said: "Bre and he don't drink but their fridge is full of Champagne, wine and beers for friends who pass by.

"I flew up with Ben from Hamilton Island to Cairns. In the arrivals lounge his helicopter pilot greeted him like an old friend.

"He was there to take him to various events along the coast – hot-air ballooning, parachuting and many more adventures.

"It probably is the best job in the world, but only because he has worked hard to make it so.

"It is definitely not the job in the advert but he has redefined it with his personality."