‘Fallout from Depp and Heard trial doesn’t help women’s fight for equality’

Fiona Phillips says women are always left feeling like they have something to prove – now, after the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial, the fight for equality continues

Despite having spent most of my life surrounded by men, with no sign of a female in my family (apart from my lovely mum and Aunty Mary), I’d ­normally always root for the female in an argument.

Not least because we’re never generally awarded the respect that men can often take for granted.

We’re left feeling we always have something to prove. It stems from the days, I guess, when my mum had to wait to be given “housekeeping” from my dad, which – good for her – she snuck away in a savings account for “emergencies” ie food, clothing and Christmas (maybe even a possible exit if she and dad were going through a bad patch).

Even now, though, despite the fact that I pay the lion’s share of most of the household bills (I’m a control freak!), it’s never appreciated as much as if dad (my husband) makes a gesture.

This is a roundabout way, in case you hadn’t yet twigged, of saying some women add fuel to this fire – those Amber Heard doppelgängers who point the finger of blame at “poor old Johnny Depp” and his fellow comrades.

Mind you, I’ve had the great displeasure of encountering Amber Heard, and there’s no colder human being you wouldn’t wish to meet.

I had to put a coat on to warm up after trying to get anything out of her in our interview at the time.

Although, it has to be said, she does, albeit in a rather sadistic kind of fashion, leave you sort of wanting more of what it is she hasn’t got.

But, DON’T please even think of going back there Johnny!

As our mums always told us when we were trying to lance a much broken teenage heart, “there are plenty more fish in the sea”, especially in the sea that a film star has the privilege of access to.

Just stay clear of the sharks, especially the blonde actresses dressed as adoring limpets, but, who, as you’ve just recently found, are ultimately, clever schemers out to destroy you.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Johnny! And I’m always here if you need me, of course.