Former Coronation Street star Adam Rickitt has been questioned about shoplifting from a supermarket in New Zealand.
The actor, who played Nick Tilsey on the soap, admitted taking a block of cheese, a bottle of HP sauce and a jar of coffee but claimed that it was an "honest mistake" because he was "so stressed out" that he forgot to pay.
Rickitt, who currently stars on Shortland Street, was escorted to Henderson police station for questioning after walking out of the Pak n' Save store in Auckland with the goods.
A tearful Rickitt, who plays a serial murder suspect on the soap, told the Herald on Sunday: "I have recently found out some very upsetting family news. I was feeling helpless to deal with it because of the distance. I was so stressed out that without realising, or thinking, during my weekly shop of $200, I failed to pay at the checkout for a jar of coffee, bottle of HP sauce and cheese.
"But my actions were without malicious intent. I wasn't thinking straight at that moment. I can't apologise enough for what was a very embarrassing and uncharacteristic moment of stupidity.
"It was an honest mistake and I'm so sorry for any inconvenience that it has caused."
Rickitt is waiting to hear whether he we will end up in court over the incident.
