Rolling Stone Keith in third 'Pirates movie

Rolling Stone Keith Richards, who inspired Johnny Depp’s natty-haired character in Pirates Of The Caribbean, will join him in the film’s third instalment, it is reported today.

Richards would appear in Pirates Of The Caribbean: At The World’s End, producer Jerry Bruckheimer announced at the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas, the trade paper Daily Variety said.

The announcement ends years of rumours about guitarist Richards’ potential involvement in the popular swashbuckling franchise.

Depp once said his portrayal of loopy pirate Jack Sparrow in 2003’s mega hit Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and last year’s Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl was based on a “part rock-star, Keith Richards-kind-of-guy”.

Richards has long been known for his hard partying ways and wild, beaded hair.

No other details about his film character were announced.

A call to Rolling Stones publicist Fran Curtis was not immediately returned.