He's such a Bad boy! Justin Bieber apes Michael Jackson by grabbing crotch on stage!

It seems Justin Bieber wants to capture the vacant Prince of Pop crown for himself.

The music sensation aped Michael Jackson by grabbing his crotch during a rehearsal for a music awards show in his native Canada today.

The Baby star seemed to be enjoying himself as he went through his paces ahead of the Much Music Video Awards in Toronto.

A cheap Thriller: Justin Bieber seemed to enjoy channelling Michael Jackson by grabbing his crotch during rehearsals in Canada today

They just can't stop loving you: A small band of spectators were treated to a private show as the singer ran through his routine

And the 18-year-old pretender to the throne kept a small group of spectators entertained by repeatedly fondling himself as he pranced around the stage.

He seemed to be intent on channelling the Bad star for his showpiece performance in his homeland, even copying his trademark crucifixion pose from his Earth song period.

Justin wore a denim jacket as he did his version of the move, before discarding the overcoat and showing off his pipe cleaner arms in his wine-coloured vest.

It appears the singer is taking tips from the legendary pop icon in other ways too.

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Original and best: Despite his efforts Justin's grabbing technique was not as polished as the Prince of Pop's

For he pulled off another Michael Jackson trick by hiding his face underneath a hood as he picked up his Disney kid girlfriend Selena Gomez at the

Hopefully he will not take his fixation any further and adopt a chimpanzee any time soon however.

Justin was not the only big name rehearsing for the popular awards show however.

For California Gurl Katy Perry, whose estranged husband Russell Brand threw a strop when asked about their marriage by Graham Norton this week, was also spotted going through her paces on stage.

An unhealthy cruci-fixation: He even copied the Prince of Pop's Earth Song Jesus Christ pose

Another wacko move: Justin also seems to have taken to hiding his face in public like when he picked up Selena Gomez at the airport in Toronto yesterday