David Gandy says he's grown into his looks.

The 32-year-old heartthrob is one of the world's most successful male models but insists he doesn't think he's that good-looking and admits he wasn't anything special while growing up.

He said: ''I have a fortunate placing of bones and muscles that enables me to do what I do. It's the reason I work; it's not a reason I'm better than anyone else. To be honest, I don't think I'm that great looking. I've grown into my looks but at school I wasn't the guy who got the girls or who was thought to be hot. I didn't have a girlfriend till I was 21, which is pretty late. I was a loner. All I saw in the mirror was a big nose and a slightly chubby body.''

David - who previously dated The Saturdays singer Mollie King - says he's always been shy when it comes to girls and not much has changed.

He told live! magazine: ''I remember being in awe of this guy at university who could just talk to anyone. I still think if a guy wants girls, it's more about the gift of the gab than the way you look. In my head I still think of myself as I was at 15 or 16.

''The outward perception changes but the inward never really does.''