Christmas has come early for patients at Great Ormond Street Hospital after Johnny Depp paid them a visit.

Reporter: Sasha Wickenden | Sub-Editor: Alex Clement

On the December 9 actor Johnny Depp, who is known for his roles in Edward Scissorhands, took time out of his busy schedule for the children at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London.

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Twitter @BadWilf

Depp arrived dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow; the character he portrays in the Pirates of the Caribbean films.

This is not the first time the actor has done this. Last year whilst filming the latest addition to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, he surprised children at the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Whilst Depp has previously stated that he has always done these visits, it was in 2007 when he was filming Sweeney Todd that his daughter Lilly-Rose was admitted for nine days. Doctors at the hospital treated her for Kidney failure which was caused by E. coli poisoning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZlpK3Rw7KI

Credit: Juiced TV

Depp spoke about this harrowing experience and the importance of these visits on the Graham Norton Show last year. He said, “when my daughter was ill in Great Ormond Street, it was the darkest period of my life.  After that experience the visits became more and more important”. Depp also spoke about how courageous the children he visits are and how being able to bring a smile to them means everything to him.

Judging by the excited reaction captured in this visit, it would be safe to say that not all pirates are evil.

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Instagram: @Eithne

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man Tells No Tales will be out in cinemas May 2017.