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9:02am Saturday 22nd March 2008
HE'S a Hollywood heart-throb who has played everything from a pirate to a drug baron to a policeman on the trail of Jack the Ripper, and most recently the murderous barber Sweeney Todd.
But a Hampshire family are hoping Johnny Depp's next role could make him a real-life hero.
Sophie Wilkinson has been in a coma for the past five months, since the car she was a passenger in - driven by an 18-year-old who had passed his test just 24 hours earlier - smashed into an 18-tonne lorry.
The 17-year-old who dreamed of teaching AIDS orphans in Africa before going to university has undergone life-saving operations since the horrific crash in Swanmore last October.
While magistrates have banned David Brookman, who was driving the Peugeot 106, Sophie's parents and three siblings have staged a vigil at her bedside.
Although she has since opened her eyes and even smiled, she remains in a coma.
But parents Andrew and Alison Wilkinson hope her Hollywood idol could be the key to changing that.
They have contacted Johnny Depp, whose portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy was a favourite of Sophie's, to ask for help.
And like any good hero, he has agreed.
The 44-year-old star, a father of two, has offered to record a message to the Peter Symonds College student in the hope that his voice will wake her up.
So touched was he by Sophie's story the actor has also said he wants to visit.
For the full story, see today's Daily Echo.
Hugh Carres, says...
11:56am Sat 22 Mar 08
Sceptic wrote:Why do you think he's publicity seeking - that's an awful thing to say.
Good on him, lets hope it helps!Poor girl,very sad indeed. No doubt many thick and insensitive ,witless wonders will post on here that he is publicity seeking...why didn't he do it anonymously...etc etc..blah..blah..bla h
Lisa, Livingston says...
12:10pm Sat 22 Mar 08
Denzil, romsey says...
1:45pm Sat 22 Mar 08
Sceptic wrote:They should use a double and see if that does the trick.
Good on him, lets hope it helps!Poor girl,very sad indeed. No doubt many thick and insensitive ,witless wonders will post on here that he is publicity seeking...why didn't he do it anonymously...etc etc..blah..blah..bla h
Dave, Holbury says...
2:25pm Sat 22 Mar 08
Lisa wrote:Johnny,s own daughter was very poorly not so long ago, so he knows what this family are going through. He really is one of the good guys who is just trying to help.I agree with everything Lisa said, and hope that Denzil romsey keeps quiet if he can,t say anything positive.
He is a wonderful person to do what he does. He's done this before - not looking for thanks. God bless Sophie and her family - He will be there for you always if you just ask. I pray for the whole family and am so thankful that someone who could have an inflated ego is taking time out of his day to reach out to another human being. After all, we all put our pants on one leg at time, don't we?
Susan, Perth, Australia says...
2:36pm Sat 22 Mar 08
Fred, says...
3:13pm Sat 22 Mar 08
Denzil wrote:Not such a silly idea. If someone can be woken from a coma if their favorite celebrity comes to visit how will they actually know it is the real person? A new visiting celebrity service to wake those from comas - not there's a thought.
Sceptic wrote: Good on him, lets hope it helps!Poor girl,very sad indeed. No doubt many thick and insensitive ,witless wonders will post on here that he is publicity seeking...why didn't he do it anonymously...etc etc..blah..blah..bla hThey should use a double and see if that does the trick.
Lisa, Livingston says...
3:48pm Sat 22 Mar 08
Linda Christie, Alhaurin el Grande, Spain says...
4:07pm Sat 22 Mar 08
You Ton Wong, says...
6:11pm Sat 22 Mar 08
Denzil wrote:Trust Denzil to make another unuseful, feelingless idiotic comment.
Sceptic wrote: Good on him, lets hope it helps!Poor girl,very sad indeed. No doubt many thick and insensitive ,witless wonders will post on here that he is publicity seeking...why didn't he do it anonymously...etc etc..blah..blah..bla hThey should use a double and see if that does the trick.
George, says...
6:58pm Sat 22 Mar 08
Hugh Carres wrote:Erm, re-read Sceptic's post. He's very specifically not saying that
Sceptic wrote:Why do you think he's publicity seeking - that's an awful thing to say.
Good on him, lets hope it helps!Poor girl,very sad indeed. No doubt many thick and insensitive ,witless wonders will post on here that he is publicity seeking...why didn't he do it anonymously...etc etc..blah..blah..bla h
magssoton, says...
6:59pm Sat 22 Mar 08
Susan wrote:May God bless you and your families and wish your Stepson and Sophie a swift and full recovery
How humble, kind and sincere of Johnny Depp to do this. My heart goes out to Sophie and her family. My partner's son was hit by a semi trailer (same as an 18 tonne lorry) 5 weeks ago and he is also in a coma like Sophie. Words can't express what it feels like to be in this situation. We are all bleeding inside and each day is a chore to get through. May God bless Sophie, my partner's son and all the coma patients throughout the world.
Sceptic, Waterside says...
10:50pm Sat 22 Mar 08
Fred wrote:Ok....just gotta find something that rhymes with doppleganger and we are in business!
Denzil wrote:Not such a silly idea. If someone can be woken from a coma if their favorite celebrity comes to visit how will they actually know it is the real person? A new visiting celebrity service to wake those from comas - not there's a thought. Just need a name for the business. Anyone?Sceptic wrote: Good on him, lets hope it helps!Poor girl,very sad indeed. No doubt many thick and insensitive ,witless wonders will post on here that he is publicity seeking...why didn't he do it anonymously...etc etc..blah..blah..bla hThey should use a double and see if that does the trick.
Valerie, Allentown, NJ says...
12:14am Sun 23 Mar 08
King Mush, Woolston says...
9:56pm Mon 24 Mar 08
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Sceptic, Waterside says...
10:13am Sat 22 Mar 08
No doubt many thick and insensitive ,witless wonders will post on here that he is publicity seeking...why didn't he do it anonymously...etc etc..blah..blah..bla
h