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A creepy clown, whose strange appearances have spooked a town and intrigued the world, is today unmasked by the Sunday People.

We have succeeded in tracking down the man who has become a global ­sensation after dressing like horror writer Stephen King’s character Pennywise from the movie It.

His odd antics have appeared on TV news as far afield as the US, Australia, India, Canada and Japan, since he first turned up in Northampton on Friday, September 13th.

Journalists from across Europe have tried to identify him and a US couple holidaying in the UK even went to the town hoping to meet him.

Like King’s homicidal creation, the clown has been spotted standing, motionless, clutching balloons; waving or staring at disconcerted passers-by.

The only thing he says is: “Beep beep”, Pennywise’s catchphrase.

Photos of the sinister figure at the National Lift Tower, posing on Elm Street, next to a town statue and in a lake have been posted on Facebook and attracted more than 180,000 likes from all over the world.

He often teases fans about where he will turn up next by posting clues hidden in riddles on his Facebook page.

He told a local paper anonymously: “I just want to amuse people. Most people enjoy being a bit freaked out, then they laugh about it afterwards.”

Some followers are entertained but those with coulrophobia – an abnormal fear of clowns – do not see the funny side and have begged him to stop.

Today we can exclusively reveal the clown is Northampton University ­student and budding film maker Alex Powell, 22.

(Image: Matt Sprake Photography)

Following a tip off, we snapped him and Elliot Simpson, also a wannabe movie maker, and Luke Ubanski, who runs the Spot Northampton’s Clown Facebook page, walking into a town flat in their normal clothes.

Later Powell emerged dressed in the clown suit, while flanked by the pair, who checked the coast was clear before taking photos of him in a deserted car park just yards away.

Previously Powell, who was linked to a YouTube clip of a short film featuring an almost identically dressed clown, had denied he was the character.

He wrote on his own Facebook page: “There’s been lots of rumours that I’m the Northampton Clown but I am NOT! But thanks for all the interest as it’s shot my views right up.”

And he added falsely: “And I don’t live in Northampton any more.”

Yesterday the sleepy-looking joker opened the door in his pyjamas and, at first, insisted: “I am not the clown”.

But when we showed him our photos he changed his tune.

He confessed: “OK, I am the clown but I’ve been trying to keep it as ­mysterious as possible. To be discreet so people didn’t find out.

“Your pictures are from the day I went to meet a little girl who only has six months to live.

“Her mum messaged me saying she really wants to meet you before she dies. I took a picture with her and gave her a clown teddy and stuff.

“On Facebook I’ve had over a thousand death threats. It was just a bit of fun at first and a lot of people seem to enjoy it but it gets a bit hard sometimes with the death threats.”

Powell, who grew up in Paignton, Torbay, claimed a man threatened to knife him at Sixfields, Northampton Town FC’s ground.

He said: “I swear he had a knife and told me he would stab me if there were not so many people around.”

Powell said the police were initially interested in his activities but were now protective and looked out for him.

He said the death threats would not put him off dressing as the clown but added: “I had a call last night from someone who knew my name and asked if I was the clown and said if they saw me they would run me over.”

A string of fake online profiles have emerged claiming to be the clown and a vigilante rival, called The Clown Catcher, has even launched a campaign to try to track him down.

Encouraged by his fame, Powell has started handing out branded Northampton Clown T-shirts and bags.

Fans have demanded that he donate all the proceeds from his merchandise to charity and he has insisted he would not keep any of the profits.

“I’m not doing this for money,” he posted on Facebook. “None of it will come to me.

“I know this will have upset a few of you. If I get anything out of this it is going towards travel and charity! See you all soon! Beep Beep!”