Internet campaign to get Johnny Depp to switch on Portishead's Christmas lights

A lifelong Johnny Depp fan has launched an internet campaign to get the Hollywood movie star to turn on Portishead's Christmas lights.

Sarah Wintle, 37, of Longwell Green, has set up a page on a social networking site – "Johnny Depp to turn on Portishead Christmas Lights" – urging the star to turn up and flick the switch.

So far the Facebook page has 40 members, but support to get the A-lister to make a trip to Portishead this festive season is mounting.

The switching-on ceremony is a highlight in the town's calendar and will take place this year on November 30 at 6.30pm.

Earlier this year, the Evening Post published a story following reports that Mr Depp was seen shopping in the town's Waitrose store.

The star, who played Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean, was allegedly seen in the aisles by a member of staff.

It is also rumoured that Mr Depp, who lives with French singer Vanessa Paradis and their children Lily- Rose-Melody and Jack, has been seen at the marina.

And rumours circulated the town that the star, who owns a 45-acre island in the Bahamas, was planning to buy an apartment at the town's new waterside development.

Miss Wintle, a civil servant, said: "I am a real fan of Johnny Depp and love all his films. I spend a lot of time in Portishead visiting friends and had heard that he had been seen there shopping.

"I set up the site on Facebook as a bit of fun to see if I could get him to come to Portishead.

"Nicholas Cage is switching on the lights in Bath, so why can't we have Johnny Depp do it in Portishead?"

Miss Wintle has also contacted Portishead Town Council and the Portishead Christmas Lights committee to inform them of her plan.

Now she plans to contact Mr Depp's agent and fan club. She said: "The response to the Facebook page has been brilliant and I hope that it will attract lots more members.

"The Christmas lights in Portishead are brilliant and I will definitely be going along to the switch-on – especially if Johnny Depp does it!"

Each year a team of dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to put up the town's illuminations, which this year runs from South Road to the White Cot Stores and features 5,500 bulbs.

Committee members usually ask a celebrity to turn on the lights and last year the honour went to well-known panto dame Chris Harris.

In the past, telly favourite Carol Vorderman, TV presenter Gill Impey and characters from the film Chicken Run have done the honours.

Portishead Christmas Lights committee spokesman, Barry Randall, said: "The turning-on of the lights is a momentous occasion in Portishead and always attracts a large crowd.

"If Mr Depp wants to come and do the honours, he'd be made very welcome."

Portishead Town Council chairman Councillor David Pasley said: "A star of Mr Depp's calibre would be most welcome to Portishead to turn on the Christmas lights.

"If he did come to the town he would be guaranteed to see one of the best festive lights displays in the country outside of London. I am sure we could serve up a mince pie and a glass of sherry."

Mr Depp, a Golden Globe and Oscar winner, was born in Kentucky, USA, and initially wanted to be a rock star. He soon turned his attention to acting and made his movie debut in a Nightmare on Elm Street in 1984.

His career took off and he appeared in more films including Edward Scissorhands, Donnie Brasco, Finding Neverland and as Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Other successes have included his role in the blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean films and as the bloodthirsty barber in the film Sweeney Todd.

Members of the Facebook page have already been commenting on the possibility of the star coming to Portishead.

Kayleigh Taylor wrote; "I'll be camped out three days before he arrives to get the front seat."

And Andrea Wilkinson posted: "What a fantastic idea, we can dream at least. Yummy yummy."