JOHNNY Depp today released a graphic photo of the severed finger he claims Amber Heard gave him during a violent bust-up.

The shocking photo shows the tip of the star's finger sliced off after the row with his ex-wife.

10 Johnny Depp claims Amber Heard severed his finger Credit: PA:Press Association

10 His defence team released a photo of Depp in hospital after the alleged incident Credit: PA:Press Association

10 Depp at the High Court in London today Credit: London News Pictures

10 Amber Heard arrives at court to face her ex-husband Credit: AFP

It was released by his defence team at the High Court in London, where Depp, 57, is suing The Sun for referring to him as a “wife beater” in an April 2018 article.

He has been accused of subjecting Heard to a 'three-day ordeal of physical assaults'.

But the Pirates of the Caribbean star denies hitting any woman and has turned the tables on Heard today insisting the claims were 'complete lies'.

He instead claimed the actress repeatedly punched him in the face and chucked a vodka bottle at him - severing his finger.

Depp told the court: 'Amber severed my finger with the second of two thrown vodka bottles at me in the early afternoon of Sunday March 8.

'Amber claims this was on the second day of a 'three-day hostage situation'.'

10 Depp's finger was re-attached with surgery (pictured) Credit: Getty Images - Getty

10 The couple split up in 2017

But the court was told Heard claims the injury came about after he smashed a telephone into the wall during one of their bust-ups.

The divorced pair came face-to-face with each other today as the three-week trial got underway.

Depp was earlier accused of 'turning his rage and frustration' on the actress when he 'failed to control' his drug and alcohol abuse.

The court also heard how Depp 'descended into physically destructive behaviour' - causing him to refer to his 'drunken and violent persona as 'the monster'.'

10 Johnny Depp wore sunglasses as he arrived at court to face his ex-wife

10 Heard's girlfriend Bianca Butti, right, is at court with the star

Opening the case, Sasha Wass QC, representing The Sun, said: 'The defendants will demonstrate that the description of Mr Depp as a 'wife beater' is entirely accurate and truthful.

'They will show that the string of the articles is correct - namely that the claimant beat his wife Amber Heard, causing her to suffer significant injury and on occasion leading to her fearing for her life.

'This defence is supported by witness testimony, medical evidence, photographs, video, audio recordings, digital evidence and Mr Depp's own texts.'

10 Amber Heard arrives at the High Court hand-in-hand with her sister, left, and lawyer, right

But Depp told the court in evidence that accusations he subjected Heard to 'torture and other abuse' were 'sick' and 'completely untrue'.

He said Heard had an 'obsessive need' to control him and claimed they often had 'rage-filled violent incidents on planes'.

Depp referred to one incident in 2014 or early 2015 when Heard became 'verbally aggressive'.

He said she called him a 'pussy' and 'spineless' for 'running away' from fights with her and claimed she punched him 'repeatedly' in the face.

The ongoing trial was due to start in March but had to be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It was almost thrown out last week after Mr Justice Nicol ruled the star breached a court order by failing to reveal potential evidence — text messages relating to his alleged drug use.

Depp has brought separate libel proceedings against Heard in the US.

The couple married in LA in 2015 after meeting on the set of comedy The Rum Diary.

But they divorced two years later after Heard, who donated her £5.5million settlement to charity, accused Depp of abuse.

If you are affected by domestic abuse, please call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247

10 The couple married in LA in 2015 after meeting on the set of comedy The Rum Diary