'Most people are nuts'

In the unlikely event that the film roles dry up, Johnny Depp could always try a new career as a comedian. These days, he can crack a gag as fast as his mate Paul Whitehouse and with just as much flair.

At a recent London media gathering, one poor sap of a journalist wondered aloud whether there was anything of Johnny himself in his highly eccentric portrayal of Willy Wonka in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.

Depp raised a hand to stroke his goatee in mock concentration before answering. 'I think with any character you have to bring as much of your own truth as you possibly can.' Then, after a slight, perfectly timed pause, added: 'And then you go off and make an ass of yourself.

If that's the case, Depp has proved very talented at making an ass of himself. From playing a walking hedge-trimmer in Edward Scissorhands to making the world's worst, and geekiest, film-maker somehow endearingly lovable in Ed Wood, Depp does weird like nobody else except perhaps Tim Burton, the director he's worked with on five occasions now, including this faithful adaptation of Roald Dahl's novel.

Theirs is a collaboration based on a friendship and a shared view that the world is a rather odd place. 'We have a similar outlook,' says Depp. 'A similar sense of humour and sense of the absurd. And I think we also share the view that if you take a step back and observe most people, especially the ones who are considered super-normal, you realise that they're actually completely out of their minds. Most people are really nuts, and that's fascinating.'

At one time, Depp didn't seem to enjoy much about being Johnny The Film Star - hence the rants and raves at photographers, the trashed hotel rooms and the surly demeanour - but these days he's not only lightened up, he's positively happy-go-lucky.

'Being a father changes everything,' he explains. 'It adds depth and all kinds of wonderful things to your life. Children affect every aspect of your personal and working life. Everything. When your baby comes along you go, "Oh, that's what it's all about." And all that stuff that you placed so much importance on, when they wrote this about me or when they took that picture outside this restaurant, all of a sudden you go, "F*** it, who cares?"'

He refers to his children (six-year-old Lily-Rose and three-year-old Jack) constantly. Whereas once there were tempestuous relationships with Winona Ryder and Kate Moss, he's now settled with French actress Vanessa Paradis. At 42, he prefers to be with his family rather than at premieres and parties.

Home is more fun, playing with the kids and trying out his Willy Wonka voice on Lily-Rose. 'We'll play Barbies and Lily will say, "Daddy, don't use that voice, just be regular." But I thought I would test Willy on her and I started to do the Wonka voice and she started to light up, it was like, "Where'd that come from?" So then I thought I was on the right track.'

He now divides his time between Provence and California. 'I don't like to stay in one spot,' he says. 'My childhood was spent moving around and that's kind of ingrained into my psyche. By the time I was 16, 17 we'd lived in probably 30 to 35 houses and it had a great effect on who I became.