Jodie Foster has acknowledged her lesbian lover, Cydney Bernard, for the first time in public.

The actress - who has always shied away from discussing her sexual orientation - confirmed the open Hollywood secret as she collected an award at the Hollywood Reporter Power 100 breakfast.

As she gave her thanks, Jodie paid tribute to “my beautiful Cydney, who sticks with me through all the rotten and the bliss.”

The Oscar-winner’s tentative foray out of the closet was last night praised by gay rights group Stonewall.

A spokesperson said: “The fact that it has taken her a long time to do so is a reminder of how difficult it can be for gay people to acknowledge their private lives in public.”