Video: Prankster causes 300 person pile up after convincing public he was a celeb

This week a young man in New York proved that public adoration is rather easier to get than you might think.

Brett Cohen decided that he couldn't quite be arsed putting in the hours on acting lessons, or learning to play an instrument, instead he merely had his eyebrows shaped, got a fake tan, recruited an entourage and some 'paps' and walked around Manhattan.

Sure enough the New York native was soon surrounded by legions of 'fans' begging him for photos and autographs.

Oddly, people who obviously had no idea who Cohen was were all too keen to expound his many and varied talents.

Such was the clamour Cohen that he caused a 300 person pile up at the Cross Roads of the World.

"I think he's excellent, I think he's absolutely awesome," said one gullible chap.