Paradis talks of peas as the media speculates over Depp

AS speculation about her relationship with long-term partner Johnny Depp intensifies, Vanessa Paradis has followed in the footsteps of other French celebrities and taken to talking in riddles to see off the media.

The actress attended the premiere of her new film, Cafe de Flore, in Paris on Monday night on her own and, inevitably, faced questions about her love life.

The Daily Telegraph reports that when asked if her relationship with Depp was at an end, she gave Europe 1 radio station the somewhat gnomic reply: "You know, when I eat three peas, I'm pregnant. When I visit a city, I'm buying a house.

"In the winter I separate, in the summer I marry. It's been 15 years since I've been getting married every year. In addition I have to answer all these rumours!"

Her reply calls to mind the comment by footballer Eric Cantona after the famous incident in which he aimed a kung-fu kick at a Crystal Palace fan. He later called a press conference where he announced: "When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea."

Rumours that Paradis and Depp are about to split after 15 years together have been circulating for some time and last week it was reported that the couple were now living "separate lives". He and the couple's two children are thought to be in Los Angeles. Depp begins shooting the much-anticipated film version of The Lone Ranger, in which he plays Tonto, next month in New Mexico.

January has become something of a graveyard for celebrity relationships. Yesterday singer Seal and model Heidi Klum announced that they were divorcing after seven years. Last year actress Keira Knightly and model Katie Price found themselves single in bleak January. ·