(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Johnny Depp has apologised for insensitive remarks he made during an interview recently.

The 48-year-old actor told Vanity Fair that he thought having his picture taken during photo shoots was akin to sexual assault.

But there was a backlash following his comments from a rape advocacy group who said he needed to be "educated" on the real trauma victims faced. Johnny now says he regrets what he said.

"I am truly sorry for offending anyone in any way," the Pirates of the Caribbean star said in a statement today.

"I never meant to. It was a poor choice of words on my part in an effort to explain a feeling. I understand there is no comparison and I am very regretful. In an effort to correct my lack of judgement, please accept my heartfelt apology."

Johnny had said that he felt "dumb" and "stupid" when having to pose for pictures.

"You just feel like you're being raped somehow. Raped It feels like a kind of weird just weird, man," he told the publication.

RAINN, the Rape and Incest National Network voiced their anger at the comments yesterday.

"While photos may feel at times intrusive, being photographed in no way compares to rape a violent crime which affects another American every two minutes," spokeswoman Katherine Hull told RadarOnline.

Twilight star Kristen Stewart also had to apologise for making similar remarks during an interview with Elle magazine last year. (C) Cover Media