Johnny Depp's Friend Doug Stanhope Speaks Out About His Controversial Amber Heard Essay, Claims Depp Said, 'Hey, Thanks for Being Honest'

Johnny Depp’s friend Doug Stanhope is speaking out about the highly publicized essay he wrote accusing Amber Heard of blackmailing the actor – and Heard’s subsequent defamation suit against him.

The comedian appeared on The Howard Stern Show Monday to promote his new book Digging Up Mother: A Love Story, but a portion of his interview with Stern focused on Stanhope’s essay in defense of his friend, Depp, who the comedian wrote was “used, manipulated, set up,” by Heard.

Stern pushed Stanhope to clarify as much as he legally could about how the essay came about and the comedian revealed he originally posted the essay on his personal website before The Wrap picked it up.

“I put it on my website, the title was: ‘At A Loss For Words…” whatever it was,“ Stanhope explained. "The Wrap got it as an exclusive or however that worked and said 'Amber Heard is Blackmailing Johnny Depp This is How I Know.’ I didn’t write that f—— title.” (Reps for The Wrap did not respond to requests for comment.)

Stanhope told Stern that Depp, a pal of his since 2013, did not put him up to penning his defense, but he did receive thanks from the star when the essay made headlines.

“I had no contact with him until he texted me after that went out,” said Stanhope. “He said 'Hey, thanks for being honest.’ He didn’t know that was going out.”

In her defamation suit, Heard called the claims “completely false and defamatory” and said that it has caused her “tremendous harm.”

Heard’s lawyer, Charles J. Harder, previously said in a statement to PEOPLE: “The Complaint alleges that Stanhope is a close friend of Johnny Depp and, as part of a coordinated effort, wrote a highly defamatory article about Ms. Heard, filled with completely false, highly defamatory and very hurtful statements.”

Stanhope admitted to Stern he had to be careful about how much he said on-air, due to the sensitivity of the lawsuit. “Anything I say they can twist my words. It’s such a b——- suit,” he said. “I wish I had my lawyer here. I should probably not talk about it.”

When asked if he has anything of value for which to sue, Stanhope joked about his lack of valuable possessions.

“That’s the funniest idea,” he said. “The idea of some Hollywood supermodel lady winning all of my s—, she would be locking the doors driving down my street.

"I think she’s trying to make me shut the f— up,” Stanhope added. “Now I’m talking [too much].