Johnny Depp mobbed by Midlands fans, poses for photos ahead of Symphony Hall show

Depp emerged from the Grand Hotel in Birmingham city centre on Monday afternoon to greet hundreds of supporters before departing on a tour bus.

An eyewitness said: "There must have been 200 people there. He came out to screams and cries of 'Johnny!'.

"He waved, saluted and walked onto a tour bus - he didn't stop but was smiling and happy to see fans."

The Pirates of the Caribbean star also paid a visit to a Birmingham city centre restaurant ahead of an expected performance at the Symphony Hall tonight as part of friend Jeff Beck's tour.

Varanasi restaurant in Broad Street closed its doors to the public so it could host the Pirates of the Caribbean actor on Sunday evening.

It came after staff got a surprise call in the afternoon saying that he intended to visit for a meal – and he came accompanied by Beck.

Guitarist Beck is performing at the Symphony Hall tonight and is expected to be joined by Depp, who was recently victorious in his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard.

Mo Hussain, operations director at the Indian restaurant, which opened six years ago, said: "We had a phone call from their security team at about 3pm saying they were interested in bringing Johnny Depp down. A good friend of mine had recommended our restaurant.

"They came down to have a look and said they'd bring him in at 7.30pm.

"We closed the restaurant to the public but I was able to invite some friends and family. We showed him around and he took pictures with people.

"We did a customised banqueting menu and he was amazed by the food.

"They spent a lot of money and tipped the waiters very well."

Mr Hussain said Depp enjoyed shish kebab, chicken tikka and vegetable samosas to start with, followed by chicken tikka masala, king prawn bhuna and lamb karahi for main.

For dessert, he tucked into a vanilla cheesecake and panna cotta.

Mr Hussain said: "I have three daughters who have watched his movies.

"He was delighted to be around them.

"They were asking him to say things he said in his movies.

"He's such a humble guy. He came to my office and wanted to see how the operations ran.

"It was a really nice experience. You never think you will meet such a high profile actor.

"He even invited us to the show in Birmingham."

The restaurant has also hosted other actors, footballers and music producers in the past, as well as Health Secretary Sajid Javid earlier this year.

Depp has been appearing with Beck as part of his ongoing tour of the UK.

The 58-year-old has been spotted across the country in recent days.

It comes after the actor came out victorious in his defamation trail against ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp sued the Aquaman star for $50 million for her 2018 Washington Post op-ed, in which she described herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse".

Depp was awarded $15m in damages from Heard. But the jury also ruled in favour of Heard in one element of her countersuit.