People News

Bullock's husband apologizes for alleged infidelity

Mar 19, 2010, 0:18 GMT

Photo dated 23 January 2010 shows US Actress Sandra Bullock and husband Jesse James arrive for the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. EPA/PAUL BUCK

Los Angeles - The husband of recent Oscar winner Sandra Bullock apologized publicly Thursday after reports that he had engaged in an 11-month affair with a tattoo model.

The report in Touch magazine apparently prompted Bullock to cancel plans to attend the London premiere of her hit film The Blind Side. People magazine reported that she had left the family home.

In a statement to People.com, James, 40, insisted that the 'vast majority of allegations reported are untrue and unfounded.'

But he went on to accept responsibility for the imbroglio.

'There is only one person to blame for this whole situation, and that is me. It's because of my poor judgment that I deserve everything bad that is coming my way,' he said.

'This has caused my wife and kids pain and embarrassment beyond comprehension, and I am extremely saddened to have brought this on them. I am truly very sorry for the grief I have caused them. I hope one day they can find it in their hearts to forgive me.'

News of the marital crisis came less than two weeks after Bullock won a best-actress Oscar for her role in The Blind Side and delivered a victory speech in which she lavished praise on her husband. It was while she was away filming The Blind Side that the alleged affair took place.

The incident prompted tabloids to report about an 'Oscar curse' that befalls winners of the best-actress prize. In the last year, Susan Sarandon (winner in 1996) and Kate Winslet (2009) have also separated from their partners. Previous winners who split from their partners within a year of their victories include Reese Witherspoon, Halle Berry and Julia Roberts.