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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Rose Hill

Johnny Depp 'in his element' as he's spotted onstage for first time since verdict

Johnny Depp appeared to be in high spirits as he was spotted on stage for the first time since his bombshell victory in court.

The Pirates of the Caribbean actor, 58, is currently in tour in the UK with Jeff Back as he performed on stage in Gateshead.

Depp had not been in the US on Wednesday, where a jury ruled in his favour in his multi-million dollar lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard, and was instead pictured enjoying pints and fish & chips in a Newcastle pub.

He went on to celebrate his victory at hipster venue Jam Jar.

The manager at the Bridge Tavern, Janine Latchford, said that Depp had been "mobbed" when he arrived at the pub.

"He left just before the verdict and was heading off for a Zoom call to America," she said. "So I wished him good luck before he left and I think that he was going back to his hotel for that.

Johnny Depp pictured on stage in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear (North News & Pictures)

"He came in with Jeff Beck but he was quite subtle about it - so he was able to get some food on the terrace and we could give him some privacy before the crowds arrived."

The actor was awarded compensatory damages of $10million (£8million) and a further $5million (£4million) in punitive damages after an intense six-week-long trial.

Heard, 36, filed a countersuit against Depp, seeking almost £78million in damages after claiming his legal team falsely accused her of fabricating claims against the actor.

She was awarded compensatory damages of $2million (£1.6million) after proving one of her counterclaims to the jury.

Depp arrives at Sage Gateshead (PA)

Following the verdict Heard said she felt “heartbroken” by the ruling, adding she was “sadder still” that she had “lost a right” to “speak freely and openly”.

“The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. I’m heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband,” she said in a statement.

“I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women.

“It is a setback. It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated.

“It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously.

“I believe Johnny’s attorneys succeeded in getting the jury to overlook the key issue of freedom of speech and ignore evidence that was so conclusive that we won in the UK.

Amber Heard said that she was 'heartbroken' after Depp won his defamation case (REUTERS)

“I’m sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American – to speak freely and openly.”

Depp sued Heard, 36, for defamation over a 2018 Washington Post op-ed she wrote about the alleged domestic violence she suffered, although she did not name her ex-husband.

He demanded more than £38 million, saying her domestic abuse claims have all but ended his career and ruined his reputation.

Depp denies ever physically or sexually assaulting Heard.

The Pirates of the Caribbean actor did not appear in court today but said in a statement read by his spokesman that the "jury gave me my life back".

Depp performs on stage alongside Jeff Beck (PA)

“Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed.

“All in the blink of an eye.

“False, very serious and criminal allegations were levied at me via the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me. It had already travelled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and my career.

“And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled.”

Depp went on to say his decision to pursue the case “was only made after considerable thought” and his goal was to “reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome”.

“Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that,” the actor said.

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