Johnny Depp Visits Sick Children In The UK As Captain Jack Sparrow

Hollywood actor Johnny Depp surprised sick children at a London hospital by dressing up in character as Captain Jack Sparrow.

Depp brought an early Christmas present to the sick children by bringing to life his well-loved character from the fantasy swashbuckler film series "Pirates of the Carribean."

Eyewitnesses posted photos on social media that captured the eccentric pirate making the rounds and visiting a young girl with hyperinsulinism, a toddler named Louie and a teenager who couldn't believe her luck at being face to face with Sparrow or Depp.

The children's hospital that the 53-year-old actor chose to visit Friday was the same Great Ormond Street Hospital that treated his then eight-year-old daughter Lily-Rose from kidney failure back in 2007.

Depp explained how that experience made him want to return and give back.

"For me, it's a gift. They give me the gift," said Depp in a guest appearance to "The Great Norton Show" last year. "When my daughter was ill in Great Ormond Street, it was the darkest period of my life. I'd always done these visits but after that experience, the visits became more and more important."

"The kids are so courageous but to be able to bring a smile or a giggle to the parents means everything in the world to me," he added.

According to the Daily Mail, Depp returned to the world-renowned children's hospital in the same year after his daughter was treated. That was when he first appeared as Captain Jack Sparrow and spent four hours telling bedtime stories to the young patients.

He then returned the following year and secretly donated £1 million. He also invited five doctors and nurses from the said hospital to a party for the premiere of his film "Sweeney Todd."

Australia's Juiced TV channel also documented Depp's visit as Captain Jack Sparrow to the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital in Brisbane last year. Co-star Stephen Graham, who dressed in character as Scrum, also visited. They went from room to room and interacted with the patients for three hours.

"Thank you so much for having me, thank you for asking me questions, and threatening me, and trying to make me sing," said Depp a.k.a. Captain Jack Sparrow.