Singer-songwriter Sam Fender has apologised for the Johnny Depp selfie featuring the word "heroes" that was posted to his social media on the same evening as the verdicts were reached in Depp's libel action against ex-wife Amber Heard and her subsequent countersuit.
The now-deleted image was taken at a pub in the northeast of England on Wednesday. It featured Fender with Depp and fellow musician Jeff Beck and was captioned: "Some serious heroes." Depp has recently joined Beck on stage at his UK shows.
Following a backlash over the photo, Fender wrote on Instagram on Saturday: "I want to apologise. I was invited to briefly meet a musical legend and an actor who has been in almost every film I've watched growing up. I went – we chatted music and without thinking I took a photo and posted it as it was pretty surreal.
"Using the word 'heroes' was meant in reference to their careers, but in the context of the trial was severely misinformed.
"I now realise that it was a poor choice of words and timing, but that's irrelevant. It was naive and disrespectful to those who relate to any of the issues highlighted in the trial and the broader issues it poses. I didn't think it through and I should have."
He added: "I can't really say anything other than that it was ill judged and I was ignorant with regards to the trials as a whole, and thoughtless on what my post could imply.
"I realise this entirely and for that I am deeply sorry. Sam." [sic]
On Wednesday, a jury in the US state of Virginia found both Depp and Heard liable for defamation following a trial centred on bitterly contested allegations of domestic abuse.
Depp sued for $50 million; Heard countersued for $100 million.
The seven-member jury awarded Depp $15 million in damages after finding that a 2018 Washington Post article penned by Heard on the "sexual violence" she had allegedly suffered was defamatory to Depp.
The jury also found that Heard was defamed by statements made by Depp's lawyer, Adam Waldman, who told the Daily Mail that her abuse claims were a "hoax", and awarded her $2 million in damages.
Heard's lawyer has said she will "absolutely" be appealing the decision against her.
Additional Reporting: Press Association, AFP
