Danielle Parker-Meadows with the man who is now believed to be a Johnny Depp lookalike.
HOPES Johnny Depp may have been holidaying on the Isle of Wight appear to have been dashed.
Excited Islanders reported seeing the star in Shanklin and Ryde on Saturday, but it is now believed the man seen — who posed for a photograph with one fan — was a lookalike.
The revelation came after pictures of the Pirates of the Caribbean actor, taken on Friday night at a Camden bar, showed a clean-shaven Johnny at a a gig by band The Tricks. The suspected Island imposter was sporting a moustache and beard.
The Camden pictures can be seen at www.zimbio.com/pictures/wykN01RWnUL/Diva+Depp/iO_WhhMgwvq
Danielle Parker-Meadows was one of those to believe she spotted the star on Shanklin seafront.
"He was with another man and a woman and a couple of children, one of the children was asleep on his shoulder, but I didn’t recognise anyone else in the group.
"There were a few people looking over and everyone was saying is it him? When more people started to gather they started to walk away, I asked if I could have a picture with him and he said sure.
"I was sure it was him. I have seen enough pictures of him, I’m a big fan," said Danielle, 37.
The news has cast doubt on a reported visit by Johnny to the Island in July, when he was spotted in Ryde and Cowes. Since those reports, rumours were rife he may be house-hunting on the Island.
The manager of Fisherman’s Cottage, Shanklin, raised doubts over the latest sighting.
"They were sitting outside having a drink but I don’t think it was him. What would he be doing here, I think it was a lookalike.
"It was the same bloke who was here last time people thought it was Johnny Depp.
"Some of the customers were convinced it was him but I don’t think it was," he said.
Reporter: ross.findon@iwcp.co.uk