They’ve rapped, written songs, played the piano, begged, pleaded, cracked jokes, told a little more about themselves than was probably wise, and submitted videos – and all they want is to be considered as possible flatmates.

In the two weeks since SpareRoom founder Rupert Hunt advertised two rooms in his home in Spitalfields, London, he has received over 7,250 applications.

This level of interest may have been something to do with the fact that Hunt advertised the rents as starting from nothing – whatever the tenants could afford. It’s also a very smart pad.

Of wider mystery is why someone so obviously successful and wealthy (he has a PA!) would need or want tenants in the first place.

However, it all looks like good publicity for the property portal.

His advert scored well ahead of the second most responsive on SpareRoom in January – for a room in Finsbury Park – which had 472 possible applicants.

Wanting to share with Hunt is a diverse bunch of people, aged between 17 and 68, and including three former contestants of the Apprentice 2015 as well as Alan Sugar’s cousin.

Other applicants include a former Miss Universe, three well-known YouTubers and the Guinness World Record holder for the most jokes told in an hour.

Of the applications, 320 were videos in response to Hunt’s own video on his ad. Others wrote songs and poems and three even turned up at Hunt’s house unannounced – one having travelled all the way from Cardiff, and two bringing home-baked gifts.

There are three videos so far in the can, with three more to go.

And as Miranda’s mother would say, “such fun”. It really is.

It genuinely is all very amusing and certainly of interest to letting agents as a marketing exercise, with an insight into tenants’ aspirations.

But be warned, before you share with staff and colleagues, these are not your usual 20-second video clips. This might be a lunchtime session. Worth it, though.

We also have to say that we cannot imagine Miles Shipside or Alex Chesterman advertising for house mates. But there again…