Johnny Depp still longs for the life he once shared with his former partner Vanessa Paradis and their children in the south of France

He told the Sunday Times as he reflected on his favourite times from the past: "My kids growing up in the south of France in their youth? I was 'Papa'. I cannot tell you how much I loved being Papa.

"Truly, the first time I felt I had a home was the place in the south of France where Vanessa and I raised the kiddies.

"That's the only place that ever felt like home."

The Pirates of the Caribbean star reflected on his years with Vanessa, now 51, during an interview where he spoke candidly about fame, family and his current isolated lifestyle.

Johnny now resides in a rented property in London, where he says he avoids going out in public for fear of being recognised.

He admitted that his current lifestyle has left him feeling cut off.

"I don't get out much," he said, adding: "I'm stuck with my thoughts; just thinking, writing or watching weird s*** on YouTube. It can't be healthy."

Asked if he has ever tried disguising himself to avoid attention, he said: "I've tried hats or I can grow a beard. But there is never any way to hide, and I just feel uncomfortable causing this weird form of attention I do, because I'm really shy."

He added: "Fame is the last thing I ever chased. If you look at the 9,000 years that I've been doing this s***, it's pretty clear that I wasn't ever thinking how I could be more famous, make a hit or please the press.

-Fame is an occupational hazard - but if I spout off about how upset I am, people will say, 'Sweetheart, take a job pulling trash bags'."

Johnny also said that when invited out by friends, he often declines.

"To this day I just rarely go out," he said.

"If friends invite me out for a Mexican, I say, 'Dude, that's sweet of you but I will ruin your night.' My presence will bring attention and, Jesus, I have had almost 40 years of fame but I'm still not used to it. And I'm glad I'm not."

Speaking about his daughter Lily-Rose's decision to enter the same industry, Johnny said he had tried to warn her of the consequences of fame.

He added: "Sometimes kids say to me, 'I want to be an actor, what's your advice?' And I say, 'Don't be!' I know what's coming for them.

"I was chucked on that road and the only advice that I can give is, 'Don't allow anyone to make you something you are not.' They'll want you to be a poster boy and it's tempting - a lot of money.

"And if that's the direction you want? Go for it. But don't let anybody choose for you."