Johnny Depp gets help from pals Helena Bonham-Carter and Tim Burton following bitter divorce
JOHNNY Depp has sought solace with pals Helena Bonham-Carter and Tim Burton from the bitter fallout following his failed marriage to Amber Heard.
Pirates of the Caribbean star Depp, 55, has made trips to see the former couple in a pretty Oxfordshire village where they own a historic mansion.
And actress Helena, 52, and film director Tim are said to have moved to “intervene” in Depp’s life amid concerns his lifestyle could spiral out of control following the scandal.
Hollywood heart-throb Depp – who has admitted heavy boozing and drug abuse – and Amber, 33, split in 2017 amid claims of domestic abuse.
Depp this week claimed Amber “painted on bruises” and sliced his finger with a smashed vodka bottle as he launched a £39 million defamation lawsuit against her in the States.
And our source said: “Helena and Tim have been very worried about Johnny in recent months – and have done what they can to help.
“At one point they helped to stage what could be described as an intervention, along with others including Alice Cooper.
“Helena feels maternal towards Johnny although she’s younger than him – and that is why they stepped in.
“And both she and especially Tim have obviously worked with him on films.
“Johnny has been over to see them a couple of times to get away from the temptations of Hollywood and try to improve his mood.
“He has used the village as a sanctuary and often goes for bike rides around Sutton Courtenay.
“A couple of villagers though have nearly knocked him off his bike in the past, as he can be a bit erratic.
“And Helena and Tim are known for throwing parties, so people have joked that it might not be the best place for him.”
Depp and Helena have been spotted at traditional 16th Century pub The George and Dragon in the village, near Abingdon.
The boozer’s landlady, who gave her name only as Jackie, said: “Johnny does come in our pub.
“He was in with Helena a few months ago. It was so busy that day and we just left them to it. They had a couple of drinks and left.”
And a villager said: “I have seen Johnny here a few times, riding around on a bike and looking happy.
“It is a good place for him to come to as an escape, as it’s so peaceful and about as far away from Hollywood as you can get.”
Alice in Wonderland actress Helena bought a £2million cottage with Tim in the village – once owned by her grandfather, Liberal PM Herbert Asquith – in 2006.
An old gyspy-style caravan and multi-coloured fairy lights could be seen at the back of the family’s eight-and-a-half acre gardens when we visited the village.
Helena and Tim, 60, split in 2014 after 13 years together.
But they have stayed friends and both spend time at the Oxfordshire home with children Billy, 15, and Nell, 11.
Burton has directed films starring Depp, including Edward Scissorhands and Alice in Wonderland.
Depp and Amber’s separation came after they recorded a bizarre apology to Australia for trying to smuggle their dogs into the country.
Depp revealed the split left him “as low as I believe I could have gotten”.
The actor has previously admitted once asking a Florida bouncer to knock him out when high on drugs – and said he spent “far more” than £22,000 per month on wine.
He is suing Amber over her claims he abused her during their marriage.
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