Ben Affleck apologises for groping One Tree Hill actress Hilarie Burton

Ben Affleck has apologised for publicly groping an actress live on television.

The Oscar winner grabbed Hilarie Burton's breasts on MTV show Total Request Live in February 2003.

The incident was brought up this week after Affleck condemned film producer Harvey Weinstein for allegedly sexually harassing a string of women.

One Twitter user recalled Affleck's behaviour, declaring "everyone forgot though", to which Burton replied: "I didn't forget."

Discussing the groping on Twitter, Burton said: "I was a kid... I had to laugh back then so I wouldn't cry."

Affleck later tweeted: "I acted inappropriately toward Ms Burton and I sincerely apologise."

An old clip of Burton discussing the incident on TRL resurfaced, with the actress saying: "Some girls like a good tweakage here and there. I'd rather have a high five."