text: The handsome Italian maths teacher who has taken the internet by storm for being the perfect mix of beauty and brains has spoken out about his new-found fame. Pietro Boselli, 26, originally from Brescia, Italy, says that he originally tried to keep his modelling a secret from his colleagues at the University College London (UCL) where he taught for fear they might 'look down on him'. In an interview with the Times, Boselli, an advanced maths lecturer with a PHD, said that when he was trying to establish himself as a teacher, he didn't want to include his work for fashion companies such as Abercrombie and Fitch on his CV and was less than proud of his alternative career. Scroll down for video . Not your average teacher: Wearing a tiny pair of green shorts, 26-year-old advanced maths teacher Pietro Boselli admits he tried to keep his double life as a model a secret from colleagues and students at UCL . The Italian model, whose looks have seen him amass a following of nearly half a million users on Instagram, isn't afraid to whip off his shirt to show his hard-earned muscles, pictured above with 'lifelong friend' Carmelo . More than just a pretty face: The lecturer has now achieved his PHD and is hoping to earn enough money from modelling to set up his own engineering consultancy . He told the newspaper he didn't want students in his classroom or his teaching peers to know, saying: 'I think, in a way, I was ashamed. I thought people in academia would look down on me.' Growing up in Italy, the young Boselli was scouted by Armani Junior which started off a double life of studying hard for his exams and posing in front of the lens whenever he could. He calls himself a 'nerd' and says that his studies were his priority growing up, forcing him to turn down lucrative jobs that would take him away from his books. His students at UCL, where he taught while studying for his PHD, did eventually discover the fitness fanatic's secret, after Googling him. When one maths student, Arief Azli, discovered his 6ft 1in lecturer's Instagram account, which has now amassed more than 480,000 followers, and has plenty of images of him in varying states of undress, he tweeted: 'That moment when you realise your maths lecturer is a top designer model.' Azil posted a picture of his lecturer scribbling equations on the whiteboard next to one of him shirtless with the caption: 'Only at UCL‬ ‪#‎MechanicalEngineers‬ ‪#‎ModellingandAnalysis ‪#‎Bromance‬.' Other students soon followed suit and posted pictures of him taking classes, with one saying: 'This is why I never miss a class'. Boselli says he knew his students had cottoned on when they started to take 'sneaky' images of him while he was at the front of the lecture hall. Cycling in the sea? He must be clever! Pietro says he trains once or twice a day to keep fit and is proud to show of his amazing body . A gruelling exercise regime keeps the model in tip-top condition: Pietro posted this image of a recent rock-climbing expedition on his Instagram account . Huge following: Pietro, pictured centre right with friends on a recent trip to Brooklyn, has now finished his stint as an advanced maths teacher at UCL (right) to concentrate on being a full-time model . Now the secret's out, the model, who has signed for top agency Models 1, says he's not worried about them seeing him posing topless. 'People ask me "why are you topless in pictures? Why don’t you have any clothes on?" But training is a big part of my life. 'I started going to the gym when I moved to London and, like everything I do, I’m very focused. I train once or twice a day and I’m happy to get recognition for having a good physique.' Boselli has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and is hoping that the money he earns from modelling will help him to establish his own engineering company in London. And the bad news for all those currently brushing up on their algebra? He's got a girlfriend. Although the model won't be drawn on her identity and there is little sign of her on his Instagram account, he has confirmed that he is off the market. The fashion model posted this picture on his Instagram account with a caption 'post-workout selfie' He describes himself as 'addicted to training' and said he works out at least two or three times a day . One of his students, Arief Azli tweeted: 'That moment when you realise your maths lecturer is a top designer model' Pietro's academic achievements are easily as impressive as his six-pack. He was awarded the Undergraduate Faculty Excellence Scholarship for the most outstanding academic achievement in his first year at UCL, before going on to get first-class honours. The fashion model was discovered at the age of six by renowned designer Giorgio Armani who saw potential and said he should be a model. His Instagram account gives an insight into his fitness regime as he posted a picture of himself in the pool, saying: 'Boosts circulation, gets metabolism up to speed and strengthens immune system!' Mr Boselli revealed he works out two to three times a day and said his best feature is his 'perseverance and inconsistency'. In an interview with F Tape he said he would be concentrating on 'engineering, teaching maths and personal training' if he was not modelling. He posted a picture of his washboard abs on his Instagram, saying: 'Lying in bed.. My point of view' Mr Boselli revealed he works out two to three times a day and said his best feature is his 'perseverance and inconsistency' He also revealed that Arnold Schwarzenegger, Oscar Wilde and The Rolling Stones were among his idols. Hundreds of fans have taken to social media to say they would have concentrated slightly harder in lessons if Mr Boselli had been their teacher. Rachel Ruane said: 'Would trade my maths teacher for him in a heartbeat oh my god #PietroBoselli #teachmealgebraanyday.' Cassy Chavez said: 'I would never miss a class too!' Aly Dos Equis said: 'Good thing this guy wasn't my math teacher I'd have a hard time paying attention.' Pieter Botha ‏said: 'No fair! I never had a math teacher like you? I would've passed.' He won first prize in the tall fitness model category at the WBFF European pro-am fashion event . His Instagram account gives an insight into his fitness regime as he posted a picture of himself in the pool, saying: 'Boosts circulation, gets metabolism up to speed and strengthens immune system!'
target: Pietro Boselli, 26, from Brescia in Italy taught advanced maths at UCL .
  Admits he was 'ashamed' of his modelling career and kept it a secret from students and almost didn't mention it on his CV .
  Instagram following shot up to more than 480,000 after his story came out .
  PHD student says he's proud of his body and works out once or twice daily .