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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Johnny Depp says he loves new life in UK countryside after Hollywood hellraising years

Johnny Depp says the quiet life in Britain has made him forget all about his Hollywood hellraising years.

Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny now resides in an 850-acre estate in Somerset, complete with a 19th-century mansion in the west country.

He says that's what he needs these days and he can just be himself.

The superstar splashed a whopping £13 million on the Downton Abbey-style estate which features sprawling walled gardens and a shoot.

He says he has no regrets and loves the fact that he is rarely bothered by film fans.

Johnny Depp has been speaking about his very different new life (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Johnny has given a surprise interview to Somerset Life.

He opened up about being a shy person and says the cute countryside - a far cry from the bright lights of America - is perfect for him.

Johnny told the magazine: "I just love places with character. British people are cool and will greet you as if you are a neighbour, without going over the top - I like going to places, seeing things and meeting people but I'm not the great extrovert that people think.

"In truth, I'm quite a shy person. That's one of the great things about Britain, and especially Somerset. I can just be me — and that's nice.

"I can go into shops without being surrounded by people wanting selfies. I don't mind that up to a point, but sometimes it gets a little too crowded."

Earlier this month he surprised staff at an antiques shop in Lincolnshire as he dropped in unannounced by helicopter to peruse the items they had on sale.

He loves the UK - and not being constantly pestered for selfies! (Getty Images)

The actor’s visit to Hemswell Antique Centres, Hemswell Cliff, was kept a secret, as he wanted to take a relaxed look at the shop’s guitars without being noticed by the public.

The visit had been arranged by the store and Pinewood Studios, which have a working relationship. The film studios have produced the Harry Potter and James Bond franchises.

Depp, 59, arrived by helicopter at Europe’s largest antiques centre on Friday afternoon, at around 4:30pm.

He recently stunned staff at Hemswell Antique Centre in Lincolnshire when he dropped in and bought three guitars (Hemswell Antique Centres/MEN Media)

The store’s owner, Robert Miller, described Depp as really 'down-to-earth'. He had to notify staff that a special guest would be arriving but had to conceal his identity.

Miller admitted that Depp had tested several different guitars during his visit to the shop, and was overheard talking about Jeff Beck, who he collaborated with for his album ‘18’, which was released last year.

The pair had played many gigs together.

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