A GROUP of men who have been friends for two decades only remain so because of one man. 

The six friends, who met at university, would have never seen each other again post-graduation if not for the base-level social and organisational skills of Joe Turner.

Anthony, not his real name, said: “The lads are great. We have a proper laugh. If it were down to me, we’d have become strangers the moment we weren’t forced together by circumstance.

“It’s Joe who emails, who texts, who set up the WhatsApp group and who posts ‘Anyone up for Dublin in October?’ That’s too much f**king work for me. I’d sooner live out the rest of my life alone and save myself the stress.”

Friend Martin, not his real name, agreed: “When we were at uni, had a virtually infinite amount of free time and literally lived in the same house friendship was easy, as it should be.

“But somehow, miraculously, we’ve continued meeting up even though we live in separate cities. Joe does it. Which is great even if staying in touch with mates is a bit gay.”

Mr Pau, not his real name, who is organising a group trip to Amsterdam, said: “It’s not that f**king hard. Pick a place and a weekend and if that doesn’t work pick another one.

“I’m not even good at it, but with the responsibility of 20 years of friendship on my shoulders I don’t really have a choice.”