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A criminal dubbed the world's hottest felon has landed himself a modelling contract after he was released from prison.

Jeremy Meeks gained worldwide fame when his mug shot went viral, as women swooned over the man who'd stolen their hearts.

But Meeks also admitted to illegally possessing a gun, and in February 2015 he was jailed for 27 months.

He has now been released and posted on his Instagram page that he's been snapped up by a modelling agency thanks to his unique look.

The tattooed model has signed up to White Cross Management after the agency's owner Jim Jordan wanted to give him a 'second chance'.

He said: "When I first saw Jeremy's picture, the first thing that came to my mind was, 'I needed to help this guy.'

"After speaking with his wife and meeting his family, I got a real sense of who Jeremy was as a husband and father, not to mention how beautiful he is inside and out.

"We are looking forward to Jeremy's future. I do not think it will affect Jeremy's career due to the overwhelming response he has received from clients and fans around the world."

Meeks, who has been in and out of prison for 10 years, said he is "grateful" for "what lies ahead" in his newfound career.

Striking-looking Meeks, 30, became an internet sensation last year after a police department in Stockton, California released his picture on its Facebook page.

Read more:'World's most handsome crook' Jeremy Meeks is jailed for 27 months for gun offences

Meeks was nicknamed 'Dreamy McMugshot' following the posting, which went viral - with thousands women viewing and commenting on the picture.

Together with the jail term, Meeks was ordered to undergo a 500-hour substance abuse treatment course and fined $100.

Meeks was arrested last June with cops finding a semi-automatic .45 handgun and two extended magazines in his car, the Telegraph reports.

Read more:'Handsome felon' says he is 'blessed' after signing with agent while in prison

Meeks previously served time for grand theft and has had numerous other brushes with the law.

According to reports in the US he is a former member of the feared Northside Gangster Crips however his family now insist he has moved away from any affiliation.