Johnny Depp's stag singing

May 27, 2007, 11:00 GMT

Johnny Depp EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

Johnny Depp sings like "a rutting stag".

The actor, who plays murderous London barber Sweeney Todd in the new musical film of the same name, accepted the role before he or director Tim Burton had heard his unusual voice.

Depp said: "Tim took a risk when he asked me to play Sweeney Todd because neither he nor I knew if I could sing when I accepted.

"I went into the recording studio with a friend of mine to see if I could do it. My singing's not unlike the mating call of a rutting stag. It's a strange sound, but I haven't been fired yet!"

Although the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star claims he can't sing, he does have other musical talents.

Depp played a slide guitar part on the Oasis track 'Fade In-Out', which features on the band's 1997 album 'Be Here Now', after becoming close friends with Oasis stars Liam and Noel Gallagher.

In 'Sweeney Todd', Depp's character murders the customers who come into his London barber shop and makes them into pies, in an evil partnership with his fellow tenant Mrs. Lovett, played by Burton's partner Helena Bonham Carter.

Depp and Burton have previously worked together on a host of critically acclaimed movies, including 'Edward Scissorhands', 'Sleepy Hollow' and most recently 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'.

(C) BANG Media International