AN INTERNET star who was bullied because of his acne is helping other teens overcome skin conditions.

Josh Clayden, from Silver End, has wowed thousands over his battle with acne.

Josh, 18, of Daniel Way, takes part in charity and celebrity events and has just set up his own YouTube channel.

The former pupil at New Rickstones Academy in Witham made a name for himself making videos on online service YouNow and by appearing in various music videos, including one by Britain’s Got Talent act Bars and Melody.

Josh, who has more than 30,000 followers on Twitter, said: “I started getting acne about a year ago when I left school, I ended up in hospital because it got so bad.

“One day I was out and it just blew up, my skin inflamed and I got ill.”

Even after receiving medication he suffered with bad skin for months, and fell into depression after being bullied.

He said: “It wasn’t just from strangers, it was also some people I thought were friends and were close to me who would look and whisper whenever I walked into a room.”

Despite all the setbacks, including depression, Josh is continuing to work on his YouTube channel and spread the word. Josh, who lives with his parents and two sis- ters, is inspiring other young people to seek help and feel confident.

He said: “I overcame it because I had some true mates telling me it’s getting better.

“I also had supporters online who tweeted me and took photos with me to show improvements along the way.

“I felt really low, but I surrounded myself with good mates and they always kept me smiling.”

The upcoming model and Twit- ter star has been pictured with celebrities such as YouTuber Cameron Dallas, and Charlotte Crosby from MTV reality show Geordie Shore.

He said helping other people always makes him happy, and he would like for people to look up to him when they feel low.

Follow @joshclayden on Twitter.