Johnny Depp warns the paparazzi to stay away from his children

Actor Johnny Depp has issued a fierce warning to the paparazzi - stay away from my children or risk the consequences.

The Hollywood heart-throb says snappers should avoid capturing images of his son and daughter, while also revealing some camera-dodging tricks of his own.

In an interview with Esquire magazine, to hit the stands on Friday, he said: "There's no limit to the possibilities of what I could do to the paparazzi if I catch them photographing my children."

The Pirates of the Caribbean star tells how he cheats photographers while out and about in LA.

"You don't go through the front door of hotels anymore, you go through the garage.

"Or you go through the kitchen of a restaurant. Some people want to think that's cool, that's exciting.

"But it'll definitely make you a little weird if you're constantly being stared at."

However, his stream of adoring fans help make up for the inconvenience, he added.  "People are super nice in the street. If they want me to sign something, that's great, I don't mind that at all.

"Part of the process that I've always enjoyed is being the observer. You know, just watching people and learning.

"At a certain point, the reversal took place. I was no longer the observer - I was being observed.

"That's obviously very dangerous because part of an actor's job is to observe."

And Depp, 44, says he hopes that one day his fame will die down and leave him to get on with a normal life with his long term partner Vanessa Paradis, and their children Lily-Rose, 8, and Jack, 5.

"My definition of freedom is simplicity, really," he added.

"Anonymity. I'm sure it will be a possibility someday again. Maybe when I get old. They get tired of you.

" 'Didn't you used to be Johnny Depp?' That will be the clincher."