Johnny Depp looks smart in a black two-piece suit as he attends Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia – as close friend Shane MacGowan’s death is announced
Johnny Depp continued with his work commitments on Wednesday evening after it was announced earlier in the day that his best friend Shane MacGowan had sadly passed away at the age of 65.
The legendary Irish rocker, who was behind the iconic Christmas carol Fairytale of New York, died ‘peacefully’ at 3am today with his wife Victoria Mary Clarke and family by his side.
The singer and Johnny had a close friendship spanning more than three decades after the actor previously admitted he ‘fell in love’ with the star when they first met.
But despite the sad news, Johnny still attended the opening night of HWJN at the 2023 Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The 60-year-old star looked dapper as he donned an all-black suit for the event as he posed for the red carpet.
Johnny Depp, 60, cut a dapper figure as he attended the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday following the death of his best friend Shane MacGowan
The singer and Johnny had a close friendship spanning more than three decades after the actor previously admitted he ‘fell in love’ with the star when they first met (pictured 1994)
Johnny looked incredibly smart as he completed his outfit with a pair of black, chunky-soled brogues.
His long locks were tied back in a neat ponytail and he put on a pair of light blue glasses.
He is a fan of his jewelry and has accessorized his look with his signature chunky rings and silver earrings.
The star’s impressive array of tattoos were largely hidden, with his body art sticking out on his chest and fingers.
The film festival kicks off with the world premiere of the Saudi fantasy film HJWN.
Adapted from the best-selling young adult fantasy novel by Ibraheem Abbas, the film follows the story of a kind-hearted djinn as he discovers the truth about his royal lineage.
Jinn then goes on an epic journey to reclaim his birthright, but he falls in love with a young medical student.
Johnny is reportedly at the festival to present the MENA premiere of Maiwenn’s Cannes 2023 title Jeanne du Barry.
The star, 60, donned an all-black suit for the event as he posed for the red carpet
His long locks were tied back in a neat ponytail and he put on a pair of light blue glasses
Johnny looked serious as he struck a series of poses on the red carpet
The star’s impressive array of tattoos were largely hidden, with his body art sticking out on his chest and fingers
Johnny’s long locks were slicked back for the evening
The film festival kicks off with the world premiere of the Saudi fantasy film HJWN
Johnny pictured with Red Sea International Film Festival CEO Mohammed Al Turki and Red Sea International Film Festival Chairman Jomana Alrashid
In the zone, Johnny looked focused after receiving the sad news of his friend’s death today
Shane MacGowan was battling viral encephalitis – a life-threatening condition that leads to swelling of the brain – and had been in and out of St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin for months. He was fired last week ahead of his upcoming birthday on Christmas Day.
Hellraiser Shane, whose 1987 hit Fairytale of New York became a Christmas classic that sold millions of copies worldwide, was known for his loud partying lifestyle, slurred speeches, missing teeth and onstage meltdowns during his 1980s heyday.
In recent years, the Irish icon has been confined to a wheelchair and assisted at home by his wife and caregiver after being plagued by ill health linked to his years of alcohol and substance abuse.
His heartbroken wife today shared the news of the rocker’s death, just days after releasing a touching photo of them together to mark their fifth wedding anniversary.
Johnny and Shane were close friends, with the actor even playing guitar at Shane and Victoria’s low-key wedding in November 2018 at Copenhagen City Hall.
In 2018, Bono, Nick Cave and Sinead O’Connor, Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock and actor Johnny Depp joined Shane on stage for a show to celebrate his 60th birthday.
Johnny also made a biopic for Statistics in 2020, Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan, which focused on The Pogues frontman’s journey to popularity and battle with substance addiction.
The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan has passed away at the age of 65