Updated | Charlie Sheen confirms he is HIV positive

Hollywood star Charlie Sheen has confirmed he is living with HIV in a US television interview.

"I am here to admit that I am HIV positive," he said.

It bring to an end days of intense media speculation. The former star of sitcom Two And A Half Men is appearing on NBC's Today show.

"I have to put a stop to this onslaught this barrage of attacks and of sub truths," he said. He has been living with his diagnosis for four years.

"I think I release myself from this prison today," he said, referring to the speculation over his health.

He admitted that his use of drugs was a "bad decision" but said it was "impossible" that he would have passed the HIV on to anyone else.

Sheen rose to fame in the 80s with hit films including Platoon and Wall Street and, in 2011, was the highest-paid actor on TV thanks to his sitcom role.

He has frequently struggled with drink and drug abuse.