Singer Sam Fender apologises for ‘disrespectful’ and ‘ignorant’ Johnny Depp social post
Sam Fender has apologised after sharing a photo of himself with Johnny Depp in a Newcastle pub and describing the actor as a “hero”.
The musician was pictured alongside Depp and musician Jeff Beck, who has welcomed Depp on stage during a number of recent UK gigs.
Fender shared the photo on his Instagram stories page alongside the caption: “some serious heroes”. He later appeared to delete the image.
The photograph was shared on the night that the verdict was delivered on Depp’s high-profile legal battle with his ex-wife Amber Heard.
Read more
In a new Instagram post, Fender addressed his photograph with the Pirates of the Caribbean star, describing the message as “naive and disrespectful”.
“I want to apologise,” he wrote. “I was invited to briefly meet a musical legend and an actor who has been in almost every film I’ve watched growing up.
“I went – we chatted music and without thinking I took a photo and posted it as it was pretty surreal.”
He said the word “heroes” was used in reference to Depp and Beck’s careers, but conceded that the context of the trial made it “severely misinformed”.
Fender continued: “I now realise that it was a poor choice of words and timing, but that’s irrelevant. It was naive and disrespectful to those who relate to any of the issues highlighted in the trial and the broader issues it poses. I didn’t think it through and I should have.
“I can't really say anything other than that it was ill-judged and I was ignorant with regards to the trials as a whole, and thoughtless on what my post could imply. I realise this entirely and for that I am deeply sorry. Sam.”
Depp sued Heard for $50m over a Washington Post op-ed titled: “I spoke up against sexual violence – and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change.”
The article does not mention Depp by name, yet his lawyers said it falsely implies he physically and sexually abused Heard while they were together.
Heard countersued for $100m, accusing Depp of orchestrating a “smear campaign” against her and describing his lawsuit as a continuation of “abuse and harassment”.
On Wednesday, the jury shared their verdicts, finding that Heard had defamed Depp on all three counts.
The jury awarded him $10m in compensatory damages and $5m in punitive damages. Heard was awarded $2m in compensatory damages, but no punitive damages.
Today's Headlines
Villa Villains | Laura Whitmore returns to Love Island villa for Casa Amor recoupling
court ruling | Man who killed pal in crash refused license after victim's sisters saw him driving while banned
in the clear | No charges against Tánaiste Leo Varadkar for leaking confidential GP contract to a friend
exploitation | Couple who avoided jail after slavery conviction forced to flee after mob attacks home
jail time | Van driver handed two-and-a-half-year sentence for transporting €500k worth of cannabis
horror assault | MMA fighter who attacked woman after she said she just wanted to be friends avoids jail
'Constant Fear' | Councillor says Dublin communities are ‘traumatised’ by poverty and violence
Clash for King | Doubts emerge over Tyson Fury’s ability to appear on American wrestling channel due to US travel ban
New era | Mattie Kenny steps down as Dublin senior hurling manager after four-year stint
Frightening | Man shouted he was part of the ‘Irish Mafia’ while pointing a gun at people in the street