Jonathan Rhys Meyers issues a public apology to his fans after shocking drunken appearance... and insists relapse was just a 'blip' in his recovery

Actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers has broken his silence after shocking images emerged of him drinking vodka straight from the bottle on a London street earlier this month.
The Tudors star, who has battled alcohol issues for over a decade, apologised to his fans in a statement released via his fiancee Mara Lane's Instagram account on Tuesday.
Alongside a picture of a smiling Mara, the caption reads: 'Mara and I are thankful for your support and kindness during this time. I apologizes [sic] for having a minor relapse and hope that people don't think too badly of me.'
He goes on to claim that his shambolic appearance didn't lead to him missing out on the Cannes Film Festival, where his new movie Damascus Cover was previewed - and insists that he is focusing on his sobriety once again.
The 37-year-old adds: 'I stopped drinking immediately and it is no reflection on Damascus Cover as I was not meant to attend Cannes this year and I apologize to fans and colleagues.'
Explaining his 'disheveled' appearance, he says that he was heading home after a night out with friends.
'I am on the mend and thank well wishers and sorry for my disheveled appearance as I was on my way home from a friends and had not changed,' he continues.
'I feel I made a mistake and feel quite embarrassed but this was just a blip in my recovery otherwise I'm living a healthy life.'
His very public 'blip' hit headlines in early May after the actor was spotted staggering through the streets of the capital after buying two bottles of vodka.
He looked scruffy and bleary-eyed as he stopped to take a shot of the spirit he had poured into the bottle cap, spilling some down his top as he walked.
The Irish star's disorientated appearance was a far cry from his usual image as a heartthrob, famed for his roles in Match Point and Mission: Impossible III.

The actor has had a well-publicised battle with alcohol since first shooting to fame in 2002 as the love interest of Parminder Nagra's character in the hit British movie Bend it Like Beckham.
Jonathan is believed to have had six stints in rehab over the past few years, including programmes at the Promises facility in Malibu, California in 2005 and 2007.
On 27 February 2009, the actor checked into rehab a third time, but left less than a month later on 15 March 2009.
In November 2011, the star was ordered by a French court to pay a restitution of €1,000 and was given a judgment of a suspended sentence for public intoxication 24 months earlier.

Shortly after his mother died in November 2007, Jonathan gave an interview to the Mail on Sunday's Live magazine to promote his hit show The Tudors, in which he insisted his drinking had been 'blown out of all proportion'.
'I haven’t even thought about drinking since my mother passed away. Drinking is not the way forward for me at all,' he said. 'I never even drank till I was 25 anyway. I was in Thailand on my own, filming. I was a little bit lonely and I started drinking.'
It was thought that his fiancee Mara - who is an actress and producer - had helped the troubled star stay clean since they began dating last year.
Jonathan reportedly proposed in December after less than a year of dating.
A source told E! News at the time: 'They are so in love. He is in a great place and Mara and Jonathan really complement one another. He is healthy and happy and starts shooting Damascus Cover [soon].

Re: Jonathan Rhys Meyers issues a public apology to his fans after shocking drunken appearance... and insists relapse was just a 'blip' in his recovery

I find it curious that he is apologizing. I don't feel he owes anyone an apology. I just hope he gets whatever help he needs.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers issues a public apology to his fans after shocking drunken appearance... and insists relapse was just a 'blip' in his recovery

That's so sad. Unfortunately you don't just have a blip, it's called a relapse. I hope he is able to get strong enough to continue to fight his demons.