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You fans gobsmacked as ‘unrecognisable’ Penn Badgley throwback pic from teen years

PENN Badgley looks completely different from the murderous stalker he plays in You, as he shares a teen throwback pic.

The actor, 34, shared a grainy black and white photo of himself when he was just 12 years old and look completely to the Hollywood heart throb he was about to become.

Penn Badgley from Netflix's You is a Hollywood heartthrob
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Penn Badgley from Netflix's You is a Hollywood heartthrobCredit: Kobal Collection - Rex Features

Smiling in the school photo, Penn rocks a middle part in his bouncy brunette hair, complete with two impressive cow licks.

Penn opened up that he was ahead in school and always looked much younger than his classmates.

He captioned the adorable Instagram pic: "I was about two years younger than most everyone else in my grade.

"Sometimes it was absolutely painful to appear younger, smaller and less of a “man” than my peers—and let’s be clear, as a 12 year old American boy in 1998-1999, the image of a “man” in my head was an impossible combo of two iconic duos: Will Smith & Jeff Goldblum in “Independence Day”, and Edward Norton & Brad Pitt in “Fight Club”."

But that was not always the case as he also went through an awkward teen phase
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But that was not always the case as he also went through an awkward teen phaseCredit: Instagram/pennbadgley
He admitted feeling insecure about his looks as a teen
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He admitted feeling insecure about his looks as a teenCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Penn added: "Needless to say, I always wondered when my six pack was gonna start showing and when I would meet a stripper I could marry.

"When the charming dynamic I saw in movies between these men and their female counterparts DID NOT develop between me and the girls I had crushes on, I would struggle with feelings of self-worth.

"This would continue until—hang on, my therapist is texting me rn..."

Penn then revealed the reason for the throwback pic was because he was launching a podcast full of people's life anedotes.

But obviously he's now got nothing to worry about
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But obviously he's now got nothing to worry aboutCredit: Netflix

"I’m working on @podcrushed // a podcast coming soon, full of true stories & reflections like these," the actor wrote.

"We’ve already gotten so many submissions, but please, keep them coming!

"Hilarious, heartbreaking, horrifying—whatever story you got, we want to hear it."

You fans were thrilled today as Netflix bosses announced season three was underway and issued a stark warning with a new Joe Goldberg picture.

Netflix's official Twitter account shared a new picture of Penn as killer Joe wearing a face mask with 'Hello You' written on it.

He rose to fame on Gossip Girl
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He rose to fame on Gossip GirlCredit: Kobal Collection - Rex Features

The shot was captioned: "We recommend you stay at least 6 feet from Joe Goldberg at all times."

The second season ended with Joe discovering his girlfriend Love (Victoria Pedretti) is also a killer and is pregnant with their child.

The twisted couple move to a new house, but the series ends with Joe's obsessive tendencies resurfacing as he shows an interest in his female neighbour.

Last month, Netflix confirmed to new characters are joining the show for season three, and both are pretty shady.

But is now known as creepy stalker Joe from You
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But is now known as creepy stalker Joe from YouCredit: Kobal Collection - Rex Features

Sharing pictures of actors Shalita Grant and Travis VanWinkle in a Twitter post, the caption read: "Fresh blood joining You Season 3: Shalita Grant will play Sherry, a "Mom-fluencer" who appears down to earth, but is actually a mean girl who only pretends to welcome Love into her social circle.

"Travis VanWinkle will play the wealthy Cary, who invites Joe into his inner circle."

Penn is returning to You as filming for season three gets underway
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Penn is returning to You as filming for season three gets underwayCredit: Kobal Collection - Rex Features

Penn previously spoke about the status of Joe's relationship with Love, who used his own tricks against him to make him fall in love with her.

He told : "They’re not soulmates. He’s afraid of her at the end [of Season 2].

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"Basically, it’s set up for Season 3 in a way where they would be each other’s arch nemesis.”

You seasons 1 and 2 are available on Netflix.

Penn Badgley stars alongside Chris D’Elia in season two of Netflix series You
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