Russell Brand has been "dressing as a pirate every day" to get into character for the new "Pirates of the Caribbean" film.

The British comic star - who has previously starred in movies including "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and the upcoming "Bedtime Stories" - is doing everything he can to secure the part of Johnny Depp's on-screen brother in the fourth film in the franchise.

Russell Brand has reportedly become obsessed with "air sex." The British comic has taken to the Japanese craze which sees fully clothed men simulating sex with an imaginary partner, often in an exaggerated way, and in competitions.

Russell, 33, has apparently been introduced to this practice by his yoga teacher friend Kazuko Burt, who told Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "Russell's been watching YouTube clips of air sex competitions, in which contestants perform the act to music, like air guitar for perverts.

Russell Brand attracts women by pretending he is gay. The controversial comic star - who is famous for his love of the opposite sex - admits his camp personality can work in his favor when he is trying to flirt with attractive ladies.

He said: "In spite of appearances, I'm a heterosexual male. Because I'm so well dressed, people think, 'He must be gay.'"

Russell Brand received death threats after presenting the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).

The British comic star sparked controversy with a series of risque jokes - including calling US President George W. Bush a "retarded cowboy" and likening Britney Spears to a "female Christ" - at the event, and has revealed some people were so furious they wanted to kill him.

Johnny Depp has been voted the sexiest man in the world. The 45-year-old Hollywood heartthrob topped a poll by readers of Britain's Cosmopolitan magazine to find their favorite hunk.

Depp beat George Clooney, 47, into second place, while "Brokeback Mountain" star Jake Gyllenhaal, 27, finished third.