Depp denies David Bowie comparison

Johnny Depp has denied rumours that he modelled his singing on David Bowie in new movie Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

The actor, who sings for the first time onscreen in director Tim Burton's horror musical, famously based himself on Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards in the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy.

However, although he admitted that several people had likened him to the '70s icon, he denied trying to copy any existing singers.

He said: "I wouldn't ever dream of attempting to channel David Bowie, he's a big hero of mine. If there's a similarity, it wasn't intentional, certainly not. [But] it's a nice compliment."

The 44-year-old also dismissed claims that he had based his performance as Willy Wonka in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory on Michael Jackson, although he joked that he may one day play the pop legend in a TV movie.