AMBER HEARD’S split from Johnny Depp is already one of the nastiest break-ups ever to take place in public – and it only looks set to get worse.

Bisexual Amber, 30, says she “lived in fear” of Johnny, 52, during their 15-month marriage and released a snap of bruises she says he caused by throwing his iPhone at her.

12 Letter ... Johnny's ex Vanesse Paradis wrote a message in which she called Amber's allegations ‘outrageous’ Credit: PA:Press Association Images

If the allegations are proved true, superstar Johnny is likely to see his reputation ruined so the stakes are very high.

Friends and family have been quick to take sides – and here we reveal the opposing line-ups.



Team Depp

12 Credit: imago stock&people

DESPITE a week of the worst publicity of his life, Johnny Depp has been determinedly carrying on as normal.

He was even spotted partying until 2am with a mystery brunette in a Stockholm hotel bar on Monday night.

And his spokesman has announced that the actor will not be commenting on “salacious false stories, gossip, misinformation and lies”.

Instead, while Johnny continues his tour of Europe with his appropriately named band The Hollywood Vampires, his friends and family are rallying to defend his reputation.

12 Backing ... rock legend Alice Cooper declared that ‘the show must go on’ Credit: Splash News

Those standing by him include his bandmate ALICE COOPER, 68, who has declared that “the show must go on” despite calls for a boycott of the gigs by some anti-domestic abuse campaigners.

Meanwhile, Johnny’s family stopped short of naming Amber but released statements to rubbish her claims of violence and intimidation.

Daughter LILY-ROSE DEPP, 17, posted a photo of herself as a toddler with her dad on Instagram on Sunday.

Beside it she wrote: “My dad is the sweetest most loving person I know. He’s been nothing but a wonderful father to my little brother and I, and everyone who knows him would say the same.”

Her mother, VANESSA PARADIS, who was with Johnny from 1998 until 2012, followed suit, delivering a handwritten letter to gossip site TMZ in which she called Amber’s allegations “outrageous”.

The 43-year-old wrote: “In all the years I have known Johnny, he has never been physically abusive with me and this looks nothing like the man I lived with for 14 wonderful years.

“He is a sensitive, loving and loved person, and I believe with all my heart that these recent allegations being made are outrageous.”

12 Pals ... Monty Python star Terry Gilliam declared: ‘I’m discovering that Amber is a better actress than I thought’ Credit: Getty Images

Friends including British actor PAUL BETTANY, 45, and director TERRY GILLIAM, 75, have also weighed in on Twitter. Paul, who worked with Johnny on films Transcendance and Mortdecai, tweeted: “Known Johnny Depp for years and through several relationships.

“He’s the sweetest, kindest, gentlest man that I’ve ever known. Just saying — let the facts come out before rushing to judgment.”

Monty Python star Terry added: “I’m discovering that Amber is a better actress than I thought.”

12 Support ... British actor Paul Bettany worked with Johnny on films Transcendance and Mortdecai Credit: imago stock&people

Fellow actor MICKEY ROURKE, 63, added: “He doesn’t seem like a very violent man to me.

“He’s a very low-key guy, he’s always been really low key and a gentleman and not violent.”

Johnny also received an unexpected boost from the LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT.

A spokesman said cops found no evidence of domestic abuse when they were called to the couple’s LA home on the night of Saturday, May 21.

According to officers, Amber did not mention being hit by the actor and was not sporting injuries or bruises. The actress filed for divorce on Monday, May 23, and last Friday was granted a restraining order against him, after submitting a photo of herself with bruising.

Amber did not file a police statement about alleged domestic abuse at the time but said yesterday that she will do so.

12 'Sweet dad' ... Johnny's daughter Lily-Rose posted a photo of herself as a toddler with her father on Instagram on Sunday Credit: AP:Associated Press

She said she avoided going to police previously to protect her privacy and Johnny’s career.

But her release of the photo of bruising sparked a blistering attack by Johnny’s comedian friend DOUG STANHOPE.

On a US website the 49-year-old called Amber a “demon” and accused her of “threatening to lie about Johnny publicly in any and every possible duplicitous way if he didn’t agree to her terms”.

But the swirling allegations are taking their toll.

One insider, a pal of Johnny’s for more than 20 years, told The Sun: “Johnny is adamant that the world know that he is not spiralling out of control.

“But his legal team and friends are preparing him for more bombshells and attacks.

“He’s been knocked for six by this and needs all the support he can get.”

Team Heard

12 Tensions ... Amber's friendship with supermodel cara Delevingne, is said to have caused trouble with Johnny Credit: Getty Images

WHILE the A-list line up to defend Johnny, Amber has found a well of support from close female friends.

RAQUEL PENNINGTON, who has been a pal for 13 years and also a neighbour of the couple, is at her side every step of the way.

She even filed court documents claiming she was present after the alleged phone attack, and that Johnny was “screaming loudly” at Amber and wielding a wine bottle “like a baseball bat”.

The yoga teacher and Hollywood It girl says Heard texted her, urging her to come over. When she arrived, she says she found Amber “by the couch, covering her head with her arms and hands as Johnny was loudly screaming at her”.

12 Close ... Raquel Pennington has been a pal for 13 years and also a neighbour of the couple Credit: Getty Images

Raquel, 27, claims she stood between them and begged Johnny to stop, but that the actor slapped her hands away while screaming obscenities.

Following the incident, Raquel took Amber back to her own home and in her statement she said: “Amber was crying, shaking and very afraid.

“Many times over the past few years, Amber has confided and complained to me about Johnny abusing her, both physically and verbally.”

The two women were pictured smiling with their arms wrapped around each other on Saturday after a meeting with Amber’s lawyer.

12 Smiles ... British former wild child turned US talk show host Amanda De Cadenet is a pal Credit: Getty Images - WireImage

Another friend who has put a smile back on Amber’s face is AMANDA DE CADENET, 44, the British former wild child turned US talk show host.

A grinning photograph of the pair at Amanda’s birthday party, along with their pal Amber Valletta, was posted by Amanda the day after the actress was allegedly attacked.

In the snap, quickly deleted, Amber’s hair covers the area of her face that is said to be bruised.

Sources in her camp say the party was a way for Amber to let off steam after a hugely traumatic event — and not evidence the assault did not take place.

Amanda has also shown her loyalty on Twitter by re-tweeting support messages for the actress, including: “I stand with #AmberHeard because when someone abuses you, people shouldn’t tell you THEY DIDN’T JUST BECAUSE THEY LIKE HIS MOVIE.”

12 Phone call ... Io Tillett Wright has moved into the couple's home to support her while Johnny is away touring Credit: Photoshot

Meanwhile another of Amber’s pals, IO TILLETT WRIGHT, 30, has moved into the couple’s home to support her while Johnny is away touring.

The artist and activist, who does not now “identify” with a gender but was born a woman, has been at the centre of the couple’s problems, with Johnny said to be jealous of her closeness to his wife.

In court documents, Amber says Johnny insisted they call Io after he “began obsessing over something that was untrue”, and that she was still on the phone when the assault took place. Io dialled 911 when she heard Amber scream. Similarly, Amber’s friendships with supermodel CARA DELEVINGNE, 23, and her ex, TASYA VAN REE, are said to have caused tensions with Johnny.

Amber and Van Ree, 40, considered themselves a married couple, even though same-sex marriage was not legal in 2008 when Amber changed her name to match the photographer’s.

Both women are said to be standing by Amber as her reputation is trashed by Johnny’s camp.

Although Amber did not at first make a statement to the police, her friends and legal team have since convinced her to do so, and have accused Johnny of using the silence against her.

12 Lawyer ... Samantha Spector said: ‘Amber did not provide a statement to the LAPD in an attempt to protect her privacy and Johnny’s career’

Lawyer SAMANTHA SPECTOR said: “Amber did not provide a statement to the LAPD in an attempt to protect her privacy and Johnny’s career.

“Johnny’s team has forced Amber to give a statement to the LAPD to set the record straight as to the true facts, as she cannot continue to leave herself open to the vicious false and malicious allegations that have infected the media.”

Amber’s legal team called her a “victim” and a “hero” and hit back at accusations the row is about cash.

12 Fractures ... Amber's friendship with Tasya Van Ree is said to have caused tensions with Johnny Credit: Getty Images - WireImage

Spector said: “Amber is simply a victim of domestic violence and none of her actions are motivated by money.

“Amber is a brave and financially independent woman who is showing the courage of her convictions by doing the right thing against Johnny’s relentless army of lawyers and surrogates.”

Amber’s crowd also includes CHANNING TATUM and NICOLE RICHIE, as well as fashion players MICHAEL KORS and ZAC POSEN. A source said: “Amber’s friends have a lot more to lose by speaking out than Depp, who is desperate to save his career.

“They are there for her in private but will not be getting on their soapbox in public.”