Chris Brown and other celebrities who've compared themselves to Jesus

Chris Brown performs live on stage during Supafest 2012 at ANZ Stadium on April 15, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

While non-famous people might consider it a little grandiose, comparing yourself to the Lord is fairly common among celebrities.

The latest example is the ever-humble Chris Brown. His most recent spot of bother involves allegedly assaulting Frank Ocean in a car park. Perhaps Brown got fed up with the number of Twitter commentators taking Ocean's side, as this morning he was feeling a little "crucified". He posted a (now deleted) photo of Jesus on the cross to his Instagram account with the caption "Painting the way I feel today. Focus on what matters!"

In this, as in other matters, Brown is far from original. In 1966 John Lennon famously declared The Beatles "More popular than Jesus". Judging by the latest figures from the Church of England, he'd have a case now, even if he didn't then.

Jarvis Cocker demonstrated his objection to Michael Jackson's messianic self-presentation with a famous stage invasion at the 1996 BRIT awards. He said later, "My actions were a form of protest at the way Michael Jackson sees himself as some kind of Christ-like figure with the power of healing. The music industry allows him to indulge his fantasies because of his wealth and power."

There's a long-standing joke that the charitable and - to some minds - slightly pompous U2 frontman Bono fancies himself Jesus-like. Although he has never made any public pronouncements on the matter, he has, according to the Sun, criticised God's punctuality.