Johnny Depp's daughter hospitalised

Mar 8, 2007, 12:10 GMT

Johnny Depp - England © Photorazzi

Johnny Depp's daughter Lily-Rose is seriously ill in a UK hospital.

The distraught actor and his long-term lover Vanessa Paradis are keeping a vigil by their seven-year-old daughter's bedside, who is said to be in a "serious condition".

Johnny was due to start filming 'Sweeney Todd' in England when Lily-Rose was struck down by the undisclosed illness nine days ago.

A hospital source is quoted by Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper as saying: "They are worried sick, but Lily-Rose is getting the very best treatment available. Johnny has not asked for any special favours but just wants the best for his child, like any parent.

"It is such a difficult time for him but he is hanging in there for the sake of his daughter and the whole family is just praying that she gets better. They are taking each day as it comes.

"It's been an emotional rollercoaster for all of them, and he has been finding it hard keeping it together. He's a devoted dad and is spending as much time as he can with Lily."

Johnny and Vanessa - who also have a four-year-old son John Jack - have been using a staff entrance to enter the hospital without attracting attention and are arriving for visits in a blacked-out car.

Johnny, 43, has often spoken about how his children changed his life for the better.

He said: "I just want to watch my kids grow up and make sure they're healthy and happy. They are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I never thought it was possible to feel such profound, deep love.

"Being a dad has given me great strength, great perspective, great calm. More than anything, I love being with my family."

(C) BANG Media International