Did Kristen Stewart make the right kind of statement?

For a couple who have been so private about their relationship, it was a remarkably public declaration to make. Less than a day after Kristen Stewart was accused of cheating on her boyfriend, the Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson, with the married director Rupert Sanders, the actress released a statement.

"I am deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I've caused to those close to me and everyone this has affected," it said. "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 apology is surprising for a number of reasons; not only was it the first time that either of the pair has publicly acknowledged they were in a relationship, but the speed at which it was made is unusual.

Celebrity infidelities tend to go through a familiar cycle of denial, admission and apology that can take weeks (Tiger Woods certainly was in no rush; he took three months). Stewart's statement was also remarkably emotional, desperate even, unlike formal, stiff ones from fellow bed-hoppers Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jude Law, who both expressed "sincere regret" when it was their turn to grovel to their partners.

Then again, the fourth and final instalment of the series, The Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn Part II, is released later this year, so the sooner this is dealt with, the less damage it will do to the box office. One imagines the press tour won't be much fun, though. Awk-ward.