[Scarlett.]

A genealogist has revealed that Johnny Depp is related to Queen Elizabeth II.

According to the Sunday Mirror, Depp, who plays Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, is the Queen's cousin 20 times removed.

"You have to go back more than 500 years to reach the point where his ancestors become royal," said Dr Nick Barratt, who carried out the research.

The Alice in Wonderland actor recently revealed that the Pirates movies are not being produced solely to make money. Depp will star in the franchise's fourth movie Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, released this month,

Actress Penelope Cruz also stars in the highly-anticipated sequel. Both Depp and Cruz have expressed interest in working together again.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides opens in UK and US cinemas on May 20.

DS