12h 30min, nov 12, 2020 y - DAILY MAIL Johnny Depp's last defenders in showbiz? Wife of The Pogues' Shane MacGowan insists their friend is a 'gentle soul'

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Johnny Depp's last defenders in showbiz? Wife of The Pogues' Shane MacGowan insists their friend is a 'gentle soul' and says she has 'so much respect' for the actor after he lost his 'wife beater' libel trial

By HAYLEY RICHARDSON

Shane MacGowan's wife Victoria Mary Clarke has spoken in support of actor Johnny Depp after he lost his 'wife beater' libel trial against The Sun newspaper.

The Irish journalist, 54, who married The Pogues singer, 62, in 2018, claims the Pirates of the Caribbean star is a 'gentle soul' and a 'force for compassion' in a series of heartfelt Instagram posts.

Depp, 57, took legal action after the publication labelled him a 'wife beater' in reference to his acrimonious and ultimately short-lived two year marriage to the actress Amber Heard - but his claim was summarily dismissed by the High Court.

Following the verdict, the Hollywood star was asked to step down from his role as Gellart Grindewald in JK Rowling's blockbuster Fantastic Beasts series.

However, Depp has produced a film about The Pogues legend entitled Crock of Gold - A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan, which is set for release later this month.

Today thousands have signed a petition demanding the actor be reinstated to the franchise.

Writing about Depp on Instagram earlier this week, Ms Clarke said she doesn't know anyone else who is 'so genuinely respectful of other human beings'.

'He forgives and he keeps his heart open and he is unbelievably compassionate and good humoured and patient and loyal and he loves to create beautiful work and he loves to bring joy to people's lives in the way that he lives his life,' she wrote.

'He is not a saint he is a human being, but he is a gentle soul and I feel tremendously grateful to be his friend because he is so uplifting and encouraging to be around.

'I have faith that he will not only get through his current challenges but he will rise above them and continue to be a force for compassion and joy and creativity in this world.'

Ms Clarke and her husband have been vocal in their support for the actor throughout the trial.

The trio are firm friends; Depp produced an upcoming film about The Pogues legend entitled Crock of Gold - A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan, set to hit cinemas later this month.

The film, directed by Julien Temple, won the prestigious Special Jury Prize after its world premiere at the San Sebastian International Film Festival last month.

Depp and MacGowan have been close pals for over 30 years; he recently spoke of the moment they met, admitting: 'There are moments in life when you know this will happen one time and one time only, when you get the opportunity to spend time with greatness.

'Having known him [McGowan] a long, long time I can only say I fell in love with him the second I met him and I'm still in love with him to this day.'

The documentary promises to reveal 'Shane’s true punk and poetic nature, culminating in his 60th birthday celebration where singers, movie stars and rock ’n roll outlaws gathered for a knees-up to remember'.

While Depp will not feature in the third Fantastic Beasts instalment, it's understood that he will still receive his full fee - reported to be within the region of $10million.

The Hollywood Reporter claims that Depp had a special provision in his contract called pay-to-play, meaning that he would get his full salary no matter what happened to the movie, or if his role went to another actor.

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