Kevin Spacey, the Oscar-winning star of House of Cards, has apologised after actor Anthony Rapp accused him of making a s**ual advance on him when he was 14 years old.

“I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour,” Spacey said in a statement posted on Twitter.

Rapp, now 46, said that Spacey befriended him while they were both performing in Broadway shows.

The incident occurred at a party at Spacey’s apartment in 1986, when Spacey picked up an inebriated Rapp, placed him on his bed, and climbed on top of him, according to Rapp.

Spacey tweeted his response to the allegations.

“As those closest to me know, in my life I have had relationships with both men and women,” he said.

“I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man.”

Spacey, who has not previously commented publicly on his sexuality, stated that Rapp’s story had encouraged him to speak out.

Rapp, who stars in the TV show Star Trek: Discovery, said that he had decided to come forward after allegations of s**ual abuse and harassment against producer Harvey Weinstein had sparked wider debate about the issue.

In an interview with BuzzFeed, Rapp stated that he had found the incident involving Spacey traumatic and that he had spoken to a therapist about it.

He also alleged that Spacey had made moves towards him in a hotel room after the two had met again years later.

Following Rapp’s allegations, the producers of House of Cards announced that the forthcoming sixth season of the series would be its last.

Netflix and Media Rights Capital issued a joint statement stating that they were “deeply troubled” by the allegations and that they had sent executives to the show’s set to ensure that staff were supported.

The statement also confirmed that the decision to end the programme had been made some months ago.

Spacey has starred in the series since it began in 2013 and also served as executive producer.

Numerous other allegations of s**ual harassment and assault have emerged in the entertainment industry following the Weinstein scandal.

On Friday, director James Toback was accused by over 30 women of harassment, including unwanted physical contact and masturbating in front of them.

Toback has denied the allegations.

In addition to Weinstein, several other high-profile figures have been accused of harassment or assault, including comedian Bill Cosby and Fox News presenter Bill O’Reilly.

The fashion industry has also seen a number of allegations made against key figures.

Photographer Terry Richardson has been barred from working with several leading publications after accusations of s**ual misconduct.

Richard Meier, architect of the Getty Center in Los Angeles, has also been accused of harassment.

In the UK, the Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon, resigned last week after allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Fallon apologised for putting his arm around a journalist’s neck and has been replaced by Gavin Williamson, formerly Chief Whip.

The wave of allegations has prompted calls for better protections for employees and for those making allegations.