Heard split from Depp in May 2016 after 15 months of marriage, and days later obtained a temporary restraining order against him.

The divorce was finalised in January 2017 amid highly publicised claims of domestic violence and counter-claims of financial blackmail.

Depp, as mentioned, is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) and The Sun’s executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an article published in 2018 that referred to the film star as a “wife beater”.

The actor’s lawyers seek to prove The Sun’s allegations are not true and amount to “serious harm” as defined in the Defamation Act 2013.

Depp is also suing Heard for defamation over an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post, in which she describes being a victim of domestic abuse but does not name her ex.

The National Centre for Domestic Violence offers a free, fast emergency injunction service to survivors of domestic violence regardless of their financial circumstances, race, gender, or sexual orientation. Text NCDV to 60777, call 0800 9702070, or visit ncdv.org.uk.

Johnny Depp’s libel trial: Jess Phillips MP explains why those Amber Heard headlines are so dangerous