Shamed Belfast-born therapist Beechy Colclough spotted in Johnny Depp’s corner in court

Actor Johnny Depp in court. Credit: Steve Helber

Ex-psychotherapist Beechy Colclough

Actor Johnny Depp in court. Credit: Steve Helber

Ex-psychotherapist Beechy Colclough

John Breslin

May 23 2022 06:00 AM

Belfast-born one-time therapist-to-the-stars Beechy Colclough has emerged as a key supporter of Johnny Depp during the actor’s high-profile libel battle with ex-wife Amber Heard.

Colclough (73) — who was struck off the register of counsellors and psychotherapists after claims he seduced female clients — was seen by the actor’s side this week as he left court in Fairfax, Virginia.

Depp is suing Heard for $50m over a 2018 Washington Post opinion piece in which she described herself as “a public figure representing domestic abuse”.She did not name the Pirates Of The Caribbean actor in the piece and is countersuing for $100m.

Belfast psychotherapist Colclough was previously photographed with Depp (58) in London in the summer of 2020, ahead of another libel action taken by the actor against The Sun newspaper. Depp lost the action.

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Colclough was a high-profile figure through the 1990s and into the early 2000s, during which time he wrote two books and counted Elton John, Kate Moss, John Thaw and Michael Jackson among his clients. He was also a regular on morning television, including on ITV’s This Morning and GMTV.

But his career as a therapist came to a halt in 2006 after he was struck off the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) register following a “number of complaints”, including from a lap dancer who alleged she had an affair with him. The then 58-year-old did not contest the claims.

“Beechy has been friendly with Johnny for the last three years so of course was going to be supporting him in court,” a source told the Mail On Sunday newspaper.

“‘He has become a fundamental part of Johnny’s inner circle but, perhaps for obvious reasons, was worried about being spotted, given it is such a high-profile case.”

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Depp and Colclough have been friends since at least July 2020, when they were pictured together by celebrity photographer Ross Halfin in London.

Born Beauchamp and one of eight children, the former therapist grew up on the Ormeau Road. After battling alcoholism, Colclough built a successful career until its abrupt end following the allegations he improperly had sexual relations with his clients.

Former lap dancer Angela Harvey claimed he seduced her after seeking help with binge drinking. Another client, Janet Bell, also accused him of seducing her.

“I feel completely liberated and no longer feel any shame,” Ms Bell said after Colclough was struck off the register.

Following the bar on practising, Colclough formed a group, Beechy Colclough And His Band, which has performed in small venues across the UK and was still operating last year, according to his social media pages.

Colclough has written two books — Tomorrow I’ll be Different: The Effective Way To Stop Drinking and It’s Not What You Eat It’s Why You Eat It: The Successful Way To Overcome Eating Problems.

Elton John, in a preface to Colclough’s 1994 book on stopping drinking, wrote: “He always emphasises the positive of my character. He has encouraged me to be me and not to be apologetic about it.”