Take That star Mark Owen sorry for affairs

Profile: Mark Owen

Take That star Mark Owen has said he is "deeply sorry" after admitting he cheated on his partner of five years, before they married in 2009.

Owen, 38, told the Sun newspaper he had been unfaithful with several women during his relationship with Emma Ferguson, the mother of his children.

But he insisted he had been faithful since marrying Ms Ferguson.

In a statement he said: "I'm so deeply sorry for the pain my actions have caused my family and friends."

Phenomenal success

The singer, who has two children with Ferguson, added: "I'd like to ask the media to please respect the privacy of my wife and children during this difficult time."

Owen, who won Celebrity Big Brother in 2002, admitted the affairs to his wife on Wednesday and his confession was published in Thursday's edition of the paper.

"I have been living with the guilt. It has always been there - you carry it around with you," he said.

"It held me back in my relationship with Emma. I wouldn't have done any of this if I had my time again."

The star, who has enjoyed phenomenal success with Take That since they reunited in 2005, said he was "proud" of the fact he had not cheated since tying the knot.

The couple married at Cawdor Parish Church, near Inverness in Scotland, followed by a reception at Cawdor Castle.

The Take That star has confessed that one of the affairs, with accounts manager Neva Hanley, went on for more than four years, but it ended just before he got married.

Owen has also admitted his heavy drinking had caused problems with his relationship with Ferguson.