A male model who built a career travelling across the globe posing for editorials and catwalks ditched the runway in favour of producing YouTube videos mocking politicians, reality TV stars and dole bludgers.

Jordan Shanks, 29, worked as a part time model for eight years while studying international politics at the University of New South Wales.

But he always knew modelling wasn't a career he wanted to pursue long term.

Despite deals with the likes of Gucci and walking runways for Topman and True Religion, Jordan's burning passion was to work in radio and make a difference in the community.

Using the alias 'Friendlyjordies', Jordan built a career and cult following around his skits and Youtube videos.

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Jordan Shanks worked as a part time model (pictured in Brazil) for eight years while studying international politics at the University of New South Wales

He now mocks socialites and political figures on his YouTube channel, which has nearly 200,000 followers

He is now touring Australia with a live comedy show based on his version of a french aristocratic Malcolm Turnbull, selling out shows in Melbourne.

But he says performing in front of the live crowd is nothing like he remembers from his heyday as a model.

'It's completely different. But I've always had a strong performing background. I've been doing it since I was five and I have very little understanding of what public shame is, I'm just an exhibitionist,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

And live performances, as opposed to being holed up in a room filming content, are where he hopes to stay.

'Performing is obviously much better when its live, its not at all as fun doing it when you're by yourself.'

'I basically live in a cave all my life. I live the same life as Osama Bin Laden. Its nice to have some human contact for once.'

Jordan is pictured here in a promotional advertisement for soft drink company Sprite

The funnyman admits his jokes don't always land the way he hopes.

'Sometimes its the audience, but most of the time it's just the way you deliver the line.'

'Now I meditate and exercise before I go on stage. When a joke bombs and you haven't meditated your brain instantly freaks out.'

'When you've meditated and it happens you see that nobody enjoys the joke and you don't mind. How much better and cheaper is that than snorting coke? And it's the same effect.'

He told the Warwick Fashion Group he spent hours analysing the top radio hosts in the industry when he was starting out, as well as comedic timing and content in addition to his exposure to the Australian political climate through his studies.

According to his ModelMayhem profile, Jordan hasn't been active in the modelling community since 2015, which is about the time in which his Youtube channel, FriendlyJordies began to see meteoric success.

With almost 200,000 subscribers as of 2018, Jordan's fanbase on the platform continues to grow.

He provides his audience with a comedic and lighthearted interpretation of the media landscape

He hopes to make politics entertaining but relevant for a younger generation

He provides his audience with a comedic interpretation of the media landscape, as well as politics, dole bludgers and reality stars; often portraying several characters within one skit.

'I spend a lot of time learning how to be interesting,' he said in an interview in 2012.

'There are books out there that can teach you to become a walking talking Disneyland! That's what I want to be in life, I want to learn how to have fun. That's what I am in the process of learning to be as amusing as possible.'

'Literally everything in life is the same principle. You spend 7 years and 10,000 hours mastering a field and then at he end of that time, without exception you will be at the top of your field.'

With his political skits in particular, he hopes to make politics cool and interesting for a younger generation

With his political skits in particular, he hopes to make politics cool and interesting for a younger generation.

But his wide viewership speaks to the scope of his content, which jumps from covering state and national elections to recaps of the Bachelorette series, drug use, working at tween fashion store Supre and Sydney's controversial lockout laws.

His online success has drawn him back to the stage, no longer to promote other brands, but to perform his comedic act for a live audience.

He currently has four tour dates in Victoria, one in Sydney and two in Queensland, with more dates and locations pending into the new year, where he will be delivering a brand new show.

And while he definitely misses modelling, and the international travel perks, he told Daily Mail Australia he 'would be very happy to do this until I'm dead.'

'Its combining your natural skills with a public service. I think it's a good thing to do. It keeps you sane.'