Johnny Depp stuns staff when he arrives unannounced by helicopter at Lincolnshire antique shop to buy guitars
- The Pirates of the Caribbean star left a happy customer with several guitars
- Owner of Hemswell Antique Centres said American actor was ‘down-to-earth’
Staff at an antiques shop in Lincolnshire have been left stunned after film star Johnny Depp dropped in unannounced to buy some guitars.
In a secret visit to the shop, Depp arrived by helicopter at Hemswell Antique Centres, Hemswell Cliff, yesterday afternoon.
The meeting was secretly arranged by the antique shop, which has links to Pinewood Studios, and the Pirates of the Caribbean star left with several guitars.
Robert Miller, who has owned Hemswell Antique Centres for 20 years, said Depp, 59, was really ‘down-to-earth’.
He said he was told a special guest would arrive at 4.30pm on Friday, but had to conceal his identity because Depp ‘just wanted to relax and walk round without being bombarded by the general public’.
Johnny Depp, pictured in the shop, surprised staff at Hemswell Antique Centres after dropping in by helicopter
Depp left the antique shop, which has links to Pinewood Studios, with some guitars
Depp and staff of Hemsell Antique Centres pictured together yesterday after the film stars surprise visit
Mr Miller added that he overheard Depp talking about the late musician Jeff Beck while testing different guitars during his visit.
Beck, who died aged 78 in January, released an album with Depp last year titled 18 and they played a number of live gigs together.
Mr Miller said: ‘He just bought a lot of very quirky items. A desk chair, three guitars, paint sets, easels, a few pictures, posters, just a whole range of things for decorative items for his own personal property.
‘He chose a vase with a skull on it. Guitars obviously. He was very friendly with, best friends with Jeff Beck, he sat and played a few tunes on this guitar I think just for old times’ sake really and then decided to buy three of the guitars that were there.
‘I think I overheard him talking (about Beck) to one of his colleagues that was with him.
‘It was great because he was his normal self and he was very relaxed and was able to spend time looking at things and playing on the guitars that he wanted to play on. He felt very at home.’
Mr Miller added: ‘He came because we do a lot of work with Pinewood Studios and help with props so have contacts. My staff didn’t know until the last minute.
‘He really enjoyed his experience here because he was able to be himself. He said he is in hotels a lot of the time because he’s constantly bombarded by people.
‘He was very down to earth and very chatty. For someone like that to come through our doors was brilliant. He played with and bought a few guitars. I’m sure he will be back.’
Hemswell Antique Centres is Europe’s largest antiques centre and has links to Pinewood Studios, which has produced films including the Superman, Harry Potter and James Bond franchises.
Robert Miller, who has owned Hemswell Antique Centres for 20 years, said Depp, pictured here at the store, was really ‘down-to-earth’
Depp was recently involved in the contentious defamation trial with ex-wife Amber Heard, 36.
Last year the jury found that Ms Heard had defamed her ex-husband in an article claiming she was a victim of domestic abuse.
Depp was awarded $15million in damages. Ms Heard won one of the three counter-claims she ordered against Depp and was awarded $2million in compensatory damages.
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