In a surprising twist that blends Hollywood stardom with quaint British village life, Johnny Depp, the 61-year-old actor renowned for his roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and Edward Scissorhands, is reportedly interested in purchasing a historic pub in the UK. The Chequers Inn, located in the picturesque village of Smarden, Kent, is allegedly on the market for £1 million (approximately $1.2 million), and its current owner is none other than Melissa Spalding, the fiancée of Paul Hollywood, the celebrity judge from The Great British Bake Off. The news, which first surfaced in April 2023, has resurfaced in conversations as of May 23, 2025, amid speculation about Depp’s ongoing efforts to build a quieter, more grounded life in the English countryside. However, conflicting reports and denials from Hollywood himself have cast doubt on the pub’s ownership, leaving many to question whether this potential acquisition is a genuine move or a media-driven rumor. As Depp continues to navigate his post-Hollywood career, this story offers a glimpse into his desire for reinvention and the challenges of blending celebrity with rural charm.

A Hollywood Star’s Countryside Retreat

Johnny Depp’s affinity for the UK has been well-documented in recent years, particularly since he began spending extended periods in the country following his highly publicized defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard in 2022. After winning the case, which awarded him $10 million in damages, Depp sought to distance himself from the relentless scrutiny of Los Angeles, where he had long been a tabloid fixture. In 2023, he settled into a sprawling 850-acre estate in Somerset, a Downton Abbey-style property complete with a 19th-century mansion, walled gardens, and a shoot, purchased for $16.2 million. The move marked a significant shift for the actor, who has openly expressed his love for the tranquility and anonymity the English countryside offers.

In a 2023 interview with Somerset Life, Depp explained his reasons for choosing the UK as his new home base. “British people are cool and will greet you as if you are a neighbor—without going over the top,” he said. “I like going to places, seeing things, and meeting people, but I’m not the great extrovert that people think. In truth, I’m quite a shy person. That’s one of the great things about Britain, and especially Somerset. I can just be me—and that’s nice.” This desire for a simpler, less intrusive life has been a recurring theme in Depp’s recent years, as he has shifted his focus from blockbuster films to creative pursuits like painting and music, while also taking on smaller acting roles, such as his lead in the French historical drama Jeanne du Barry (2023) and his upcoming action-thriller Day Drinker with Lionsgate.

It was against this backdrop that rumors emerged in April 2023 about Depp’s interest in purchasing The Chequers Inn, a Grade II-listed pub in Smarden, Kent, a village known for its historic charm and rural beauty. The pub, dating back to the 15th century, features seven rooms, a 35-cover bar, a 37-cover restaurant with a pizza oven, and a two-bedroom owner’s accommodation. Its proximity to Depp’s Somerset estate—described as being “right up his street”—made it an appealing prospect for the actor, who has long spoken about his dream of owning a traditional British pub. According to sources cited by The Sun at the time, Depp was “a huge fan” of the inn, drawn to its rich history and quintessential English countryside setting.

The Pub’s Ownership: A Tale of Confusion

The Chequers Inn was reportedly being sold by Melissa Spalding, a 38-year-old landlady engaged to Paul Hollywood, the 57-year-old celebrity baker and judge on The Great British Bake Off. Spalding and Hollywood have been together since 2019, and the pub had been in her family for several years, making it a notable fixture in Smarden. However, shortly after the initial reports surfaced, Hollywood took to Instagram to deny the claims, stating, “Chequers Inn you’ve mentioned above is NOT the one in Smarden but another Chequers elsewhere, weirdly there’s more than one pub with the same name who knew!!!!” His clarification raised doubts about the accuracy of the story, suggesting that the pub Depp was interested in might not be the one owned by Spalding after all.

Despite Hollywood’s denial, the narrative persisted, fueled by sources who claimed Depp had been encouraged to consider the purchase by his close friend and pub regular, illustrator Ralph Steadman. “Depp adores the pub and has done for years,” a source told The Sun in April 2023. “Johnny loves the history and has spoken before about wanting to buy a pub. It’s right in the heart of the English countryside.” The idea of Depp stepping into the role of a village pub owner captured the public’s imagination, blending his larger-than-life persona with the charm of rural British life. Yet, as of May 23, 2025, there has been no confirmation that Depp followed through with the purchase, leaving the story in a state of limbo.

Adding to the complexity, locals in Smarden reportedly had mixed feelings about the pub under Spalding’s ownership. Despite its folksy exterior, The Chequers Inn had become “posh” and pricey, serving upscale dishes like “carrots done in charcoal” that alienated some village folk. “It’s not what village folk want,” one customer told The Sun in 2023. “And it’s got so dear in there now. They’ve just got a new menu out which is a really top-notch posh menu—they’ve hired a new chef and he brought his whole team with him.” The disconnect between the pub’s offerings and the community’s expectations raised questions about whether Depp, with his star power and resources, might be able to turn the establishment around and restore its traditional appeal.

Depp’s Financial Context: A Star with a Troubled Past

The rumor of Depp’s interest in buying a pub comes at a time when his financial situation has been under scrutiny, adding a layer of intrigue to the story. Between 2003 and 2016, Depp earned an estimated $650 million, largely from his roles in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, but much of that fortune was depleted by extravagant spending—14 properties, a 156-foot yacht, and even a $3 million expense to launch Hunter S. Thompson’s ashes from a cannon. His financial troubles came to a head in 2020 when it became public knowledge that he had squandered much of his wealth, exacerbated by a $25 million lawsuit against his former business managers in 2017, whom he accused of fraud and mismanagement.

The defamation trial against Heard further strained his finances, with legal fees and settlements costing millions. In 2022, Depp took out a $10 million loan to save his cluster of penthouses in Los Angeles from foreclosure, highlighting the precarious state of his finances despite his legal victory. His decision to rent a modest townhouse in London’s West End rather than purchase a permanent residence suggests a more cautious approach to spending, making the idea of a £1 million pub purchase a significant investment. However, Depp’s recent success as a painter—his 2023 collection Five sold out rapidly, generating substantial income—may have provided the financial cushion needed to consider such a venture.

A Dream Rooted in History and Reinvention

Depp’s interest in owning a pub is not a new ambition. The actor has long expressed a fascination with British history and culture, a passion that aligns with his love for the countryside and his desire to live a quieter life. The Chequers Inn, with its 15th-century origins and traditional charm, would have been a fitting addition to his portfolio, offering a chance to immerse himself in a community far removed from the Hollywood spotlight. The pub’s location in Smarden, described as being “right in the heart of the English countryside,” would have allowed Depp to further embrace the anonymity he craves, as he noted in his Somerset Life interview: “I can go into shops without being surrounded by people wanting selfies. I don’t mind that up to a point, but sometimes it gets a little too crowded.”

Moreover, the potential purchase could have been a step in Depp’s broader journey of reinvention. Since the Heard trial, Depp has focused on projects that allow him to express his creativity on his own terms, from his role as King Louis XV in Jeanne du Barry—which opened the Cannes Film Festival in 2023—to his upcoming film Day Drinker, where his “silver fox” transformation has generated buzz. His success as a painter, with collections selling out and earning him significant income, has also provided a new avenue for financial stability. Owning a pub could have been a way for Depp to diversify his ventures, blending his love for history with a practical investment that aligns with his quieter lifestyle.

The Reality Check: Did It Happen?

Despite the initial excitement around Depp’s potential purchase of The Chequers Inn, there has been no confirmation as of May 23, 2025, that the deal went through. Paul Hollywood’s denial in April 2023, claiming the pub in question was not the one in Smarden, casts significant doubt on the story’s accuracy. The confusion over the pub’s ownership—compounded by the existence of multiple pubs named “Chequers” in the UK—suggests that the rumor may have been based on a misunderstanding or exaggeration by media outlets eager for a headline-grabbing story.

Additionally, Depp’s financial situation, while improving, remains a consideration. A £1 million purchase, though modest compared to his past expenditures, would still require careful planning, especially given his recent efforts to live more frugally. Without further updates or evidence of the sale, it’s possible that Depp’s interest in the pub was either overstated or abandoned in favor of other priorities, such as his ongoing creative projects and his recent act of kindness toward his 105-year-old West Hollywood neighbor, Maggie Thompson, whose rent he has been paying for over a year.

A Symbol of Depp’s New Path

Whether or not Johnny Depp ever intended to buy The Chequers Inn, the story reflects his broader journey of self-reinvention and his search for a life beyond the Hollywood spotlight. His love for the UK, rooted in its history, community, and relative anonymity, has allowed him to redefine himself as an artist, neighbor, and philanthropist. The rumor of the pub purchase, even if unconfirmed, captures the public’s fascination with Depp’s ability to blend his star power with a desire for simplicity—a Hollywood icon who dreams of owning a village pub, serving pints, and chatting with locals.

As Depp continues to navigate his career and personal life, the idea of him as a pub owner remains a tantalizing “what if.” For now, the truth behind his interest in The Chequers Inn remains shrouded in uncertainty, much like the man himself—a complex figure whose actions, both on and off the screen, continue to captivate and inspire. Whether he’s painting in his London studio, filming a new movie, or quietly helping a neighbor, Johnny Depp’s story is far from over, and his next chapter promises to be as intriguing as the last.