JOHNNY DEPP made a name for himself in Pirates of the Caribbean, but long before becoming a Disney hit he was a renowned TV star. His iconic cameo in the 21 Jump Street movie only happened because of a beautiful request on Depp’s part.

Some people only know Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean series – but he made a name for himself in Hollywood long before he took to the seven seas.

From 1987 to 1990 Depp played the lead role in the hit TV show 21 Jump Street. For 80 episodes he paraded around as an undercover cop alongside his co-star, Peter DeLuise.

When the series was rebooted into a movie franchise of the same name, 2012’s 21 Jump Street – which hits ITV screens tonight at 10:45pm – the directors wanted to bring Depp back.

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller of The Lego Movie fame brought the series back to life with Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum at the helm.

They began putting their feelers out to find out if Depp would agree to make a comeback in the movie.

The directors revealed that they had heard Depp wanted to make a cameo, but wanted his character to die.

Lord noted that this was exactly what they had in mind as well, so that worked out.

But Depp had one major condition to rejoin the series.

Johnny Depp made an unexpected cameo in 21 Jump Street (Image: GETTY • COLUMBIA)

Johnny Depp made his triumphant return to the series (Image: COLUMBIA)

Producer of 21 Jump Street Tania Landau revealed Depp would only come back if it was exactly like the TV show.

His character, Tom Hanson was reintroduced, but he would not have been seen without his partner, Doug Penhall.

Landau revealed: “We approached [Depp] when we thought the script was in really good shape, and he said there was a condition.

“He would only do it if Peter DeLuise was going to do [the film] as well.”

Prince William’s firm message to Princess Kate during her recovery

Jeremy Clarkson opens up on ‘miserable’ time with girlfriend Lisa Hogan

Learn to Live Independently While Studying OverseasDeakin University, Australia

‘I’m Prince Archie’s nanny – I was surprised by how the Sussexes greeted me’

Novak Djokovic shows true colours as behaviour catches Boris Becker off guard

Johnny Depp agreed to 21 Jump Street cameo on one touching condition

JOHNNY DEPP made a name for himself in Pirates of the Caribbean, but long before becoming a Disney hit he was a renowned TV star. His iconic cameo in the 21 Jump Street movie only happened because of a beautiful request on Depp’s part.

Some people only know Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean series – but he made a name for himself in Hollywood long before he took to the seven seas.

From 1987 to 1990 Depp played the lead role in the hit TV show 21 Jump Street. For 80 episodes he paraded around as an undercover cop alongside his co-star, Peter DeLuise.

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller of The Lego Movie fame brought the series back to life with Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum at the helm.

They began putting their feelers out to find out if Depp would agree to make a comeback in the movie

The directors revealed that they had heard Depp wanted to make a cameo, but wanted his character to die.

Lord noted that this was exactly what they had in mind as well, so that worked out.

But Depp had one major condition to rejoin the series.

Johnny Depp made an unexpected cameo in 21 Jump Street

Johnny Depp made his triumphant return to the series 

Producer of 21 Jump Street Tania Landau revealed Depp would only come back if it was exactly like the TV show.

His character, Tom Hanson was reintroduced, but he would not have been seen without his partner, Doug Penhall.

Landau revealed: “We approached [Depp] when we thought the script was in really good shape, and he said there was a condition.

“He would only do it if Peter DeLuise was going to do [the film] as well.”

Johnny Depp played Tom Hanson in the 1980s 

Depp would only make a pricey cameo in the movie if his TV show pal would join him.

Thankfully, this made sense both financially and narratively, so the producers and directors agreed.

Landau later revealed: “We were going to ask Peter DeLuise to do it anyway… so it was perfect!”

This was an even more wonderful gesture from Depp when looking at DeLuise’s career.