Kristen Stewart DID cheat on Robert Pattinson: Twilight star issues public apology over affair with married director

The 22-year-old actress has issued a public apology over the affair - which is widely believed to have been a "brief fling" - saying in a statement: "I'm deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I've caused to those close to me and everyone this has affected.

"This momentary indiscretion has jeopardised the most important thing in my life, the person I love and respect the most, Rob. I love him, I love him, I'm so sorry."

The very public scandal is a far cry from the days when R-Patz and K-Stew hid their relationship from the world.

And it's unlikely to improve Twilight star Stewart's popularity, who is already widely hated among Twihards for being a grump.

US Weekly published pictures of Stewart and her Snow White director, a father of two, that appear to have caught them red-handed in a clinch.

Sanders, 41, is married to Brit model Liberty Ross. Worse, Ross played Stewart's mother in Sanders' recent reworking of fairytale Snow White.

While Pattinson is yet to comment publicly on his apparently errant girlfriend's conduct, Sanders also issued an apology.

"My beautiful wife and heavenly children are all I have in this world. I love them with all my heart. I am praying that we can get through this together," he said.

Laying it on a bit thick there, mister.

As the news broke, Ross tweeted simply the word "wow" and then closed her Twitter and Facebook accounts.

The promotional rounds for the final Twilight installment - which has already wrapped filming - should be interesting then.

Image: Getty