The widow of Pogues singer Shane MacGowan has thanked Johnny Depp for the support he has given her and described him as an ‘Angel’.
Victoria Mary Clarke, 57, praised the actor, 60, for maintaining his friendship and loyalty for her husband despite his illnesses and addictions with his career over.
Sharing a heartfelt post on Instagram, Victoria wrote: ‘Johnny is one of the most gracious of angels and I know that Shane really appreciated the way that he was so completely respectful, and accepting of every aspect of his being.
‘(This was) even at times when a lot of people were dismissing him as being a hopeless addict and passed his prime.
‘Seeing the adoration Johnny felt for Shane was a great source of encouragement and strength during some really tough times.
Shane MacGowan’s widow Victoria Mary Clarke has thanked Johnny Depp for the support he has given her and described him as an ‘Angel’
Victoria, 57, praised the actor, 60, for maintaining his friendship and loyalty for her husband despite his illnesses and addictions with his career over
Victoria wrote: ‘Johnny is one of the most gracious of angels and I know that Shane really appreciated the way that he was so completely respectful’
‘I am eternally grateful to him for never seeing Shane as less than perfect and brilliant and beautiful.
‘Thank you JD for being a tower of strength for me during these last few days and bless you from the bottom of my heart.’
Hollywood star Johnny has been a constant at Shane’s grieving widow side, helping to carry the casket carrying Shane’s remains and also speaking at his funeral service. He also attended the cremation.
Victoria said she felt pain and loss but was heartened by the support and love she had received.
Shane, who would have been 65 on Christmas Day, died in Dublin last month and his service was in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
His funeral was seen by millions on television across the world and his church service saw hundreds of people locked out with standing room only after thousands lined the route of his casket in Dublin and Nenagh.
Victoria recently revealed grief ‘is not as bad’ as she was expecting it to be following Shane’s passing.
In an interview with Good Morning Britain, Victoria – who wed the singer in 2018 – shared that she spent decades worrying about Shane passing away.
Victoria added: ‘I am eternally grateful to him for never seeing Shane as less than perfect and brilliant and beautiful’ (Johnny and Shane pictured in 1994)
Victoria has said she feared losing her husband for 35 years and thought she might die herself should the worst happen – pictured together in 2007
The Pogues frontman passed away ‘peacefully’ in the early hours of the morning on November 30 (pictured: Victoria and Shane in 2023)
However, now the unfortunate time is upon her, Victoria explained the abundance of love and support she has received has helped her manage.
‘I spent many many years, probably at least 35 years worried about losing Shane as he pushed boundaries so much with what humans can do to their body,’ she said.
‘I dreaded that. I thought that I would fall apart. I thought I’d die, I thought I’d not be able to speak, comatosed or go on drugs myself – something like that.’
She continued that she has been ‘overwhelmed by the amount of love’ she received following her husband’s death.
‘I want you all to know it’s [losing a loved one] not as bad as you think it’s going to be and there’s a huge amount of love that comes your way when you lose someone that you didn’t really expect.’
