The two stars were among Depp’s witnesses as he battles claims that he is a “wife beater” and had been violent to ex-wife Amber Heard.

Ms Paradis, an actress and singer who is mother to Depp’s two children Lily-Rose and Jack, was due to give her evidence today, to say the Pirates of the Caribbean star was never violent during their 14-year relationship.

Ms Ryder, star of Stranger Things, was expected to feature tomorrow, to insist Depp had not been violent during their three-year engagement in the early 1990s.

However the actor’s barrister, David Sherborne, today revealed that neither of the women would now give evidence in the blockbuster libel trial, because of the way lawyers for The Sun publisher News Group Newspapers has conducted its case.

“I don’t need to call Ms Paradis or Ms Ryder”, he told the court. “They give evidence about Mr Depp and the suggestion he had ever hit them, which has now not been put.”

Depp is locked in a high-profile libel battle over a 2018 article in The Sun by executive editor Dan Wootton which accused the star of violence towards his ex-wife Amber Heard.

Heard, 34, claims she was regularly assaulted during Depp’s drug and drinking binges, but the actor, 57, insists Heard was the abuser and she is orchestrating a “hoax” against him.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard at High Court: July 2020 1 /105 Johnny Depp and Amber Heard at High Court: July 2020 Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on the first day .Jeremy Selwyn Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on the first day PA Johnny Depp on the first day of his libel trial against News Group Newspapers (NGN) AFP via Getty Images Amber Heard with her sister Whitney Heard on the first day Johnny Depp's libel case PA Johnny Depp wearing a face covering AFP via Getty Images) Johnny Depp (right) being cross-examined by Sasha Wass QC (left) before the judge, Mr Justice Nicol, at the High Court on 7 July PA Amber Heard waves as she arrives at the High Court on the second day PA Johnny Depp arrives on the second day of the hearing his libel case Reuters AFP via Getty Images PA Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images PA Getty Images Johnny Depp (L) arrives on the third day of his libel trial against News Group Newspapers (NGN), at the High Court on 9 July AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 9 July Reuters Photo showing Amber Heard injury alleged to have been caused by Johnny Depp An image Heard said was taken after this incident, showing a bruise on her arm. Lines of cocaine on a table that were allegedly taken by actor Johnny Depp PA An image of Johnny Depp apparently passed out on the floor Amber Heard and Bianca Butti leave the Royal Courts of Justice on 9 July Getty Images Amber Heard (R) arrives on the third day of the libel trial by her former husband US actor Johnny Depp against News Group Newspapers (NGN), at the High Court on 9 July AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 9 July AP Amber Heard arrives on the third day of the libel trial by her former husband US actor Johnny Depp against News Group Newspapers (NGN), at the High Court on 9 July AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp photo spilt ice cream photo referred to in court Amber Heard American actor Johnny Depp gestures to the media as he arrives at the High Court on 13 July AP Amber Heard's pet teacup Yorkshire Terriers Pistol and Boo which has been referred to as an exhibit in the hearing of Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, at the High Court in London PA One of the pictures shown in court Actor Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 14 July PA Johnny Depp with injuries allegedly sustained from Amber Heard during an incident in Los Angeles PA Amber Heard being questioned by Sasha Wass QC as she gives evidence at the High Court in London on 20 July Elizabeth Cook/PA Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 20 July AP Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on Monday where she is due to give evidence against former husband Johnny Depp on 20 July PA Amber Heard image which has been referred to as an exhibit in the hearing of Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, at the High Court on 20 July PA Johnny Depp arrives at Royal Courts of Justice on 21 July Getty Images Amber Heard with a bruising on her face, which was referred to as an exhibit in the hearing of Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, at the High Court in London PA Amber Heard being cross examined by Eleanor Laws QC as she gives evidence at the High Court in London during a hearing in Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton on 21 July PA Amber Heard with a friend, which was referred to as an exhibit in the hearing of Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton PA Amber Heard arrives at the High Court in London for a hearing in Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton on 21 July PA Johnny Depp leaves the High Court in London following a hearing in his libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton PA Video deposition of Amber Heard in US proceedings, which was referred to as an exhibit in the hearing of Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, at the High Court PA Johnny Depp with a cast on his hand PA Amber Heard leaves the High Court in London following a hearing in Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton PA Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on Wednesday morning for a hearing in Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton on 22 July PA Actress Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on 22 July AP Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on Wednesday morning for a hearing in Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton on 22 July Getty Images PA PA PA PA PA PA PA Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on 23 July Reuters Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 23 July REUTERS Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 23 July PA Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on 23 July AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 23 July AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 23 July Getty Images Amber Heard with her girlfriend Bianca Butti arrive at the Royal Courts of Justice on 24 July Getty Images Amber Heard arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice on 24 July Getty Images Amber Heard arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice on 24 July Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images REUTERS PA AFP via Getty Images REUTERS Getty Images AFP via Getty Images SplashNews.com PA REUTERS AFP via Getty Images REUTERS SplashNews.com REUTERS

Mr Sherborne said Depp told the court last week he had “never hit a woman in his life”, said The Sun’s barrister, Sasha Wass QC, had not challenged that statement in relation to either Ms Paradis or Ms Ryder.

“In such circumstances there’s no need to reschedule these witnesses, much as it would be a pleasure to have them here”, he added.

Today Sean Bett, Depp’s long-standing bodyguard, is giving evidence about allegations directed at the Hollywood star. He told the court Heard had never complained of being hit by Depp during their relationship.

The court is also due to hear from security guard, Starling Jenkins, and a concierge, Alejandro Romero, who both worked at the Eastern Columbia building in downtown Los Angeles where Depp shared a penthouse with Heard.

Yesterday, Heard faced claims from her former personal assistant, Kate James, that she had lied to a court in Australia during a debacle over bringing the couple’s dogs into the country.

Heard faced prosecution for bringing teacup Yorkshire terriers Boo and Pistol into Australia in breach of quarantine rules while Depp was filming Pirates of the Caribbean 5.

But she blamed the incident – dubbed the “war on terrier” – on Ms James.

Ms James also accused Heard of stealing details of a rape ordeal she endured in Brazil and having “twisted” them into her own story

“I discovered that Ms Heard had in fact stolen my sexual violence conversation with her and twisted it into her own story to benefit herself”, she said.

“This of course caused me extreme distress and outrage that she would dare to attempt to use the most harrowing experience of my life as her own narrative.”

The libel trial continues.