SINGAPORE — They say 50 is the new 30 — which must explain why Johnny Depp’s still smokin’ hot. We didn’t quite believe it, until someone reminded us that Captain Jack Sparrow reached the half-century mark yesterday.

Fifty!

And it doesn’t look like the actor, who is reportedly dating 27-year-old model/actress Amber Heard after separating from French singer Vanessa Paradis last year, will be slowing down anytime soon. His latest film, The Lone Ranger, is due to be released in Singapore on July 4 and he’s reportedly got the next two sequels of the Pirates Of The Caribbean in the pipeline.

Can anyone keep up with him? TODAY examines five gorgeous actors in their 40s who might turn up like Johnny and get even sexier with age.

DANIEL CRAIG, 45. Be careful, Mr Bond, we can see those little lines creeping onto your face. We love his chiselled abs and bright blue eyes, but we’re not sure how enamoured we would be if he ends up with a flabby paunch a la Pierce Brosnan, post-Bond.

HOT AT 50? NOT SURE

TAKUYA KIMURA, 40. It’s a little too early to tell but Kimutaku, as he is affectionately known to fans, is certainly on the right track to graceful ageing. The father-of-two now looks manlier than he did in the 1996 hit Japanese drama Long Vacation, but still maintains that charming, boyish grin no woman can resist.

HOT AT 50? MAYBE

ROBERT DOWNEY JR, 48. He isn’t the fittest man on the list, but he’s sexy because he’s cute, funny and oh-so-charming. And we’re pretty sure he’ll continue to sweep us off our feet, well into his 50s.

HOT AT 50? VERY LIKELY

BRAD PITT, 49. Perfection — whether you agree with his facial hair or not. The smouldering half of Hollywood’s hottest couple will turn 50 at the end of the year, and we don’t think he’ll slow down any time soon. That said, we are anticipating a serious grey-hair-and-wrinkles situation, once the six Jolie-Pitt kids hit their teens. We’re looking at you, Shiloh.

HOT AT 50? YES

AARON KWOK, 47. Seriously, how does he do it? The Heavenly King has been dancing, singing and acting for nearly three decades, and his face is still as smooth as a baby’s bottom. Continue doing whatever it is you’re doing, Aaron. Just make sure you don’t, erm, overdo the facials.

HOT AT 50? OH YES, MOST DEFINITELY YES.