North Shields superstar Sam Fender has posted an apology on social media after referring to Johnny Depp as a hero in an Instagram post when the pair met up in Newcastle.
Fender joined Depp and Jeff Beck on Wednesday night, where they shared a drink at the Bridge Tavern in Newcastle city centre.
Depp landed in the North East to support Beck at his sell-out show at the Sage in Gateshead the following evening (June 3).
Read more: Amber Heard to appeal libel verdict after Johnny Depp drinks in Newcastle with Sam Fender
And Sam took to Instagram to share with his followers that he had been having a drink with Depp, just as the verdict in his six-week defamation trial in the US against ex-wife Amber Heard came through.
In the post, Fender wrote: "Some serious heroes," tagging Beck and Depp in the photo of the group enjoying a social in the beer garden of the beloved boozer. It was then announced later the very same night that Depp had won his US trial.
But his post has sparked outrage from people across the country, who mentioned that Sam didn't consider those affected by the trial or similar cases. In-turn, Fender this morning issued a heartfelt apology on his Instagram story.
He wrote: "I want to apologise. I was invited to briefly meet a musical legend and an actor who has been in almost every film I've watched growing up.
"I went - we chatted music and without thinking I took a photo and posted it as it was pretty surreal. Using the word 'heroes' was meant in reference to their careers, but in the contest of the trial was severely misinformed.
"I now realise that it was a poor choice of words and timing, but that's irrelevant. It was naïve and disrespectful to those who relate to any of the issues highlighted in the trial and the broader issues it poses. I didn't think it through and I should have."
"I can't really say anything other than that it was will judged and I was ignorant with regards to the trials as a whole, and thoughtless on what my post could imply. I realise this entirely, and for that I'm deeply sorry."
Do you think the post was bad judgement on Sam Fender's part?
Read next:
