Johnny Depp transforms into Captain Jack Sparrow again as he surprises children in hospital

Johnny Depp has visited a children's ward in a hospital dressed as his popular character Captain Jack Sparrow.

The role is perhaps the one that the actor is most recognised for, and he donned the costume for patients at the Donostia University Hospital in San Sebastian, Spain.

Depp had been visiting Spain to promote a new film he has directed, and visited the hospital while in the country.

The visit happened on September 26, according to social media posts from the hospital.

Depp left the San Sebastian film festival and changed into the costume for the visit.

Once there, he spent time with patients on the paediatric ward, not breaking character while on the visit, according to reports from newspaper El Diario Vasco.

The hospital posted a thanks for the visit on their Twitter page, also thanking the San Sebastian Film Festival for arranging the visit.

Depp is in Spain to promote his new film at the San Sebastian Film Festival (JB Lacroix/WireImage)

The statement, posted in Spanish, said: "From Osakidetza, and especially from all the personnel at the Donostia University Hospital, we would like to send infinite gratitude to Johnny Depp for his time, his support, and his energy, and shoutout to @sansebastianfes for having facilitated this visit."

Sharing an account of Depp's visit, the hospital said in a statement: “They have shared laughs and anecdotes, and he has helped them forget for a few minutes the difficulties they are going through at the moment.

"It was a gift that brought joy to patients, families, nursing professionals, doctors, and all the staff who were working on the ward at the time.”

Depp has starred as Captain Jack Sparrow in four movies in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

Depp has directed a new film (JB Lacroix / WireImage / Getty)

These started with 2003's Curse of the Black Pearl, with the last being Dead Men Tell no Tales, which was released internationally as Salazar's Revenge.

The character was loosely based on an amalgamation of Bugs Bunny from Looney Tunes and Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards.

Depp had been visiting Spain to promote his new film Modi - Three Days on the Wing of Madness, which, despite the confusing title, is about Italian artist Modigliani, and not Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

Depp's ex-wife Amber Heard, who accused the 61-year-old of domestic violence during their relationship, currently lives in Spain, and reportedly told outlets when asked about her ex-husband's visit: "I'm living here in Madrid, I love Spain.

"I'm very lucky to be here, and regarding my past, I don't feel like thinking or talking about it, because I'm happy and in peace."

Following the film festival, Depp is set to return to the US where, according to PEOPLE, he will open a exhibition in New York on October 4.