Model David Gandy says he 'wasn't far off minging' as a teen and struggled to get dates

Supermodel David Gandy admitted he had to grow into his looks in his teens before emerging as one of Britain's most handsome men.

The fashion icon, 42, also admitted he struggled to get a date when he was younger offered up a rare glimpse of his past during a chat with comedy king Alan Carr.

Speaking to Alan on his Life's a Beach podcast, he said: ''They were not my good years.''

''I think you have a different impression, I grew out and then up so I wasn’t in my best fighting fit form.'

The comic appeared to revel in David's omission as he probed: "You were minging," to which he replied "Not far off" leaving them both in hysterics.

David has won a string of awards for his career as a top level model (PA)

David Gandy thanked Alan Carr after the podcast saying he couldn't stop laughing (Corbis via Getty Images)

But clearly David's shaken off his teen looks as he stepped into the spotlight before being snapped up by top modelling agency Select.

And his career elevated to the next level when he appeared in now infamous Dolce & Gabbana ad campaign wearing just tight white underpants.

The handsome model had his image plastered over a 50-foot billboard in Time Square, New York, in his underwear but unfortunately was too busy working to go and see it.

He told Alan: ''I never saw the b***** thing. I’m not wearing much, it’s a big crouch for Times Square and everyone was taking pictures of it but I never got to see it.''

David Gandy's career took off when he landed Dolce & Gabbana campaigns (Handout)

David also recently told Richard Eden's, Eden Confidential: ''I'm not particularly happy with the way I'm looking at the moment. I'm not at my fighting weight, as I call it.''

He admitted to fearing changes to his chiselled good looks as he ages, saying: ''The two things that scare me is that apparently your ears and nose carry on growing.''

The former Chatty Man host replied: ''If that's true, I am in massive amounts of trouble.''

David took to Instagram on Thursday to share what a: "Huge pleasure it was to take part in @chattyman podcast, had an absolute blast… only problem is trying to talk when you are laughing so much."

David Gandi shares jokes with Alan Carr admitting he wasn't good looking as a teenager (Getty Images for GQ)

David has modelled all over the world but is enjoying fatherhood with his two daughters and partner Stephanie Mendoros (Getty Images)

The star is father to daughters Matilda, three, and Tabitha, four months with barrister girlfriend Stephanie Mendoros.

David, who is Britain's highest-paid male model, reportedly worth £12 million has been dating barrister Stephanie for five years yet remains coy over his private life.

He has appeared in a string of high profile campaigns including Hugo Boss and Carolina Herrera, and even high street brand Marks and Spencer.