7h 10min, jul 18, 2020 y - MIRROR Johnny Depp's rock god pals rally round as he fights ex and 'wife beater' claims

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Johnny Depp's rock god pals rally round as he fights ex and 'wife beater' claims

Hollywood star Johnny Depp is being supported by some of the biggest names in music as he faces his ex-wife Amber Heard in court

By Halina Watts

A string of rock gods are rallying round actor Johnny Depp as his bitter relationship with ex-wife Amber Heard is played out in court.

Goth rocker Alice Cooper, 72, and Aerosmith axeman Joe Perry, 69, are both rooting for their Hollywood Vampires bandmate who is suing The Sun newspaper over an article which called him a “wife beater”.

Johnny, 57, spent the lead-up to the trial at the Sussex home of another rock buddy, guitar legend Jeff Beck, 76, and his wife Sandra.

Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny has also taken strength from his friendship with punk rock singer Patti Smith, 73.

A source said: “Johnny stayed with Jeff and his wife where he prepared for the case. It was a beautiful place to base himself and he could relax with Jeff. They had some jamming sessions.

“Patti Smith and his bandmates Alice Cooper and Joe Perry have also been in regular contact throughout the whole thing. He adores Patti and sees her as his guardian angel.”

Johnny is also being supported by movie star Penelope Cruz, who said in a statement: “He is always kind to everyone around him. He is one of the most generous people I know.”

On Monday Amber – married to Johnny for 18 months be- tween 2015 and 2016 – will be at the High Court as a witness for News Group Newspapers.

The actress and model, 34, has alleged Johnny attacked her on 14 occasions and claimed he once subjected her to a “three-day hostage situation”.

She is being supported by a group of women nicknamed “Amber’s Angels”.

They include pop queen Kylie Minogue, 52, actress Cate Blanchett, 51, comedienne Sandi Toksvig, 62, and prominent feminist author Kathy Lette, 61, and lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy, 70.

Amber met the Baroness last year at a discussion about “sex, power and the threats women face for speaking out”

Last week Johnny’s head of security, Sean Bett, claimed Amber was “verbally and physically abusive” to Johnny during their relationship.

The paper claims the actor was “verbally and physically abusive towards Ms Heard, particularly when under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs”. The case continues.

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