The cheekbones are back. As is a languidly stylish and much shorter haircut.

And while Johnny Depp retains that trademark rough-cut and tattooed charm, the excessively scruffy – perhaps even grubby – look of recent months seems to be well past.

Friends explain that Depp, 60, had a sort of 'gap year' – actually more like two years – following his bruising 2022 court case against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

The Virigina court found in Depp's favor that Heard had defamed him on three counts with her allegations of domestic abuse. 

Sources say Depp felt euphoric at the verdict and, though Heard won only one of her counter claims, the protracted trial clearly took its toll.

Depp largely disappeared from the limelight, grew his hair long and gained weight, while privately playing a lot of music (he is an accomplished guitarist) and dabbling in painting.

He travelled widely, including to Saudi Arabia, where he has stuck up surprising – if not controversial – friendships with the kingdom's royal family, who have since financially backed some of his film projects.

He has also spent months at a time on his $5 million private Caribbean island, Little Parrot Cay, holed up with select pals.

Double tragedy then came with the unexpected sudden death of two close friends.

He was at rock legend Jeff Beck's bedside when he passed away aged 78 in January last year. Sources described the pair as 'extremely close' and said that Depp had been left 'devastated' by Beck's death.

But there was little time for mourning as, just ten months later, Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan died after a long period of sickness. Depp – who has spoken warmly of his 'love' for MacGowan – helped carry the singer's casket at his funeral.