The Priests have followed in The Beatles' footsteps by recording their latest album at Abbey Road Studios.

John Lennon was quoted in 1966 as saying The Beatles were more popular than Jesus, but the trio of singing clerics’ first album of religious songs went down a storm, shifting more than two million copies in 40 countries and breaking the Guinness World Record for the fastest-selling debut classical album of all-time.

Their second album, Harmony, will include The Lord's Prayer and Amazing Grace when it is released on November 23 by Sony label Epic.

The Priests, brothers Fathers Martin and Eugene O'Hagan and Father David Delargy, who were young school friends when they first sang together, strode across the zebra crossing made famous by The Beatles album cover for Abbey Road.

The trio also denied any rivalry with the head of the Catholic Church Pope Benedict XVI, who features on an album being released on November 30, a week after The Priests’ new record.

Fr David said: “I know people might see it as a bit of a competition, I don't see it that way at all.

“We're all part of the same team with the same goals. We've got respect for the Holy Father and we admire him and admire what he's doing.”

Asked if he would be miffed if the Pontiff beat him to a Christmas number one, he replied: “Not in the least.”

Father Eugene said he was a fan of The Beatles’ work, particularly Yellow Submarine.

He said photos of the trio crossing the zebra crossing outside Abbey Road Studios “will be in a prominent place in all of our houses”.

Father Martin added: “The Beatles were all the rage when I was a wee fella ...”

The trio have also penned a song together called King Of Kings, but unlike the Sugababes and Chas & Dave there will be no splits in the group.

Fr Martin said: “We've got a meeting of minds — we all chipped in with our own ideas.”