WE CAN’T help but feel for a man who has been dubbed “Wrong Number Steve” after sending romantic texts to — you guessed it — the wrong number.

Poor Steve texted someone he thought was a girl, Jess, whom he met at a bar recently in Dublin, Ireland.

But in a cruel twist of fate, he mistakenly sent the texts to the administrator of a betting agency’s Twitter account.

Instead of replying “wrong number”, @PaddyPower decided to play along, asking Twitter users to join in and suggest responses using the hashtag #PPtexts.

What began as a practical joke soon turned into a cringe-worthy string of texts that had the Twittersphere cheering on “Wrong Number Steve”. Perhaps even crushing on. Just a little.

We’ve got no idea if this is just an elaborate publicity stunt by the agency or if indeed poor Steve is in fact a legitimate gentleman, but we still think it makes for hilarious reading.

So give us a shout out Steve, we’d love to hear from you.

Well this day just got interesting, potentially. I've just received a text that wasn't meant for me. Give me a sec and I'll show you. — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

Right, I've blocked out Steve's number because I'm sound that way. Help me out Twitter, what do I reply? pic.twitter.com/dysztl8Utf — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

Here's my reply folks. I've decided to be feminine and also use a little bit of text speak. Now we wait. #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/AsuQqwGPEE — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

This lad's keen. Only waited 8 minutes before replying. #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/m2hK1257l7 — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

Alright, here's my reply. Played it safe. Gave a double kiss though, stepping it up. We wait. #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/YbSFWWWlow — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

He's gotten on board with the double kisses! It's on, folks. What do I reply? #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/OFHkBndQCI — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

Alright. Cheeky Paddy and Soccer Saturday reference. Wink face, but just one kiss. Mind games. #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/YCAqCy4Yi9 — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

I'm gonna need your help replying to this one folks. #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/1q6Db8m3Q3 — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

Notice how he's gone back to just the one kiss. He follows my lead on that front, it seems. Do I chance 3 in the next one? #PPTexts — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

Alright. Intentional grammatical error and three kisses. And a suggestive invitation. Come on Steve! #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/cCPbvKSWgn — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

If this prick doesn't give me three kisses in the reply I'll be absolutely livid. Flirting my tits off, I am. #PPTexts — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

Very disappointing on the kisses front. Think I'll have to be busy tomorrow so. Thoughts? #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/vkY6s24yN4 — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

Repeat of the intentional grammar error. Stone Cold Steve Austin reference. Uncle Paddy again. #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/VPaD99SyiX — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

I'm starting to quite like Steve. He seems like a decent fella. #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/mC7LCeXyEL — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

So Steve keeps himself fit. Good to know. #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/ZIMM4EwFYI — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

I can't help but feel shame when I think about poor Steve, pumping the guns at the gym so he looks good for Jess. #PPTexts — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

Steve refuelling after the gym. Good man. What do I say in reply folks? pic.twitter.com/m5DGMrDZw6 — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

Intentional tipsy typo in my reply. Will he take the bait for a gym selfie? How vain is our Steve? #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/73JYbq8IpL — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

Here we go. Planning on denying any memory of what I/she said. The only way surely? #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/R76vhQtDrq — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

Steve's keeping tight lipped! Cheeky chappy. Think I might need to reveal the truth, the guilt is mounting. #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/TRcub4Eqhk — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

Going to give Steve a chance to prove himself. I'm gonna quote The Office - if he gets the reference, he gets told the truth. #PPTexts — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

Right, here's my set up. My question will be an Office quote. #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/LmeDXTbllB — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

Right, sent. If he gets the reference, I tell him the truth. #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/sPfVv3D2C9 — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

He's done it! He got the reference! Time to tell Steve the truth. #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/me8IrP3NZw — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

The cat's out of the bag. I really hope he takes this okay. #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/vGDC7HHVqL — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

And sealed with a kiss. That's it from me and Steve tonight. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. #PPTexts pic.twitter.com/q2EWfnrTWi — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 9, 2014

Alright, I know you all want to know what happened with Steve this morning. #PPTexts — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 10, 2014

We were in contact this morning. He'll be looked after, but he wishes to remain private, so I'll respect that. #PPTexts — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 10, 2014

I will tell you though that he had a deep, gravelly voice. A swoon-worthy voice if ever I heard one. #PPTexts — Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 10, 2014

And they lived happily ever after ...

-youngma@news.com.au