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.

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.

The star, who played a hedonistic bachelor in Two And A Half Men, was fired from the show in 2011 after a downward spiral in his personal life that was often played out in public.

Production had been suspended after he entered rehabilitation for reported drug and alcohol abuse.

The actor - the youngest son of West Wing star Martin Sheen and brother of actor Emilio Estevez - has also had a troubled personal life and has been married three times.

He first marriage was to Donna Peele in 1995 but they split up after a year. His second marriage was to former Bond girl Denise Richards, with whom he has two daughters. They divorced in 2006 and he married Brooke Mueller, with whom he has twin sons.

He was then due to marry adult film star Scottine Ross, but the wedding was called off.