Johnny Depp ‘most gracious celeb’

Actor Johnny Depp isn't just receiving rave reviews for his performance as the demon barber of Fleet Street in the Tim Burton movie version of the musical Sweeney Todd: he's also winning plaudits as a gentleman. The 44-­year-old actor, once the boyfriend of Kate Moss and more recently the partner of French singer and actress Vanessa Paradis, has been voted the most gracious celebrity in a survey of Hollywood 'signers' for autograph-hunters.

Depp "likes to talk to fans and get to know them while signing," said a US autograph dealer, explaining why Depp had topped the list, organised by Autograph magazine, for the third year running.

Matt Damon is ranked second in the perfect manners league, followed by the very polite George Clooney ­ though not, presumably, if he's asked by Rupert Everett (see above). The rest of the top 10 is made up of Jack Nicholson, Rosario Dawson, John Travolta, Katherine Heigl, Jay Leno, Dakota Fanning and ­ biggest surprise - Russell Crowe. (Continued below)

Crowe was ranked among the most miserable signers on last year's list. But in a turnaround, the magazine said, the Australian actor had "started treating fans great - signing, taking pictures and chatting them up."

The magazine's list of 'bad' signers ­ with reputations for being grumpy or downright rude ­ was headed by comedy actor Will Ferrell and also featured Tobey Maguire, John Malkovich, Scarlett Johansson and, of all people, Julie Andrews.