Robert Pattinson was presented with ice cream during his first TV interview since his relationship heartache.

The Twilight actor has kept a low-profile since it emerged his girlfriend Kristen Stewart had an affair with married director Rupert Sanders.

However, on Monday he was interviewed by US talk show host Jon Stewart. Jon attempted to break the tension by handing Robert a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream to boost his spirits.

"We're just a couple of gals... tell me everything!" Jon quipped to the actor. "Are you alright?"

Robert insisted the frozen treat was a "great idea", before admitting he found live interviews a struggle.

"I don't know how to approach this. This is the weird thing about these interviews. I'm going to sound like an idiot," he laughed.

Jon then addressed break-ups in general, saying people often feel like "the world has ended", to which Robert replied, "It has", before laughing and adding, "That was my attempt at a joke".

Robert attended the premiere of his new movie Cosmopolis in New York City on Monday evening.

He was thrilled to meet some of the fans who had turned out to show their support for him.

"Every time I've done [a premiere] in New York it's pretty crazy, but there's absolutely no way to sign anything," he laughed to Access Hollywood. "That's the only problem."