LONDON: British comedian Russell Brand has acknowledged sleeping with a 16-year-old girl when he was at the height of his fame, but claims that his actions were `exploitative`, but was not illegal.

`The age of consent is 16 and I did sleep with a 16-year-old when I was 30,` Brand told US rightwing host Megyn Kelly in a YouTube show broadcast Wednesday.

`But when I was 30, Iwas a very different person. I was a lot younger and I was an immature 30-year-old.

He insisted it had been a consensual encounter, but added `when you`re a famous man that has the ability to attract women... I think involves exploitation`.

`I recognise that my sexual conduct in the past was selfish and I did not apply enough consideration... to how that sex was affecting other people.`-AFPwas a very different person. I was a lot younger and I was an immature 30-year-old.

He insisted it had been a consensual encounter, but added `when you`re a famous man that has the ability to attract women... I think involves exploitation`.

`I recognise that my sexual conduct in the past was selfish and I did not apply enough consideration... to how that sex was affecting other people.`-AFP