Jared Fogle, who starred in a series of advertisements for the Subway fast food chain, has agreed to plead guilty to engaging in sex acts with minors and receiving child pornography.

Fogle, 37, became famous in the United States as “the Subway Guy” after claiming he lost 200 pounds (90 kilograms) in college by eating healthily at Subway sandwich shops.

• Cookie crumbles for ex-Subway spokesperson
• Prisoner star on child sex charges

In a statement, defence attorneys Ron Elberger, Andrew DeVooght and Jeremy Margolis said Fogle was accepting responsibility for his actions and attempting to make amends.

“Jared also understands that he requires significant psychiatric medical treatment and counseling,” the statement read.

“He has already begun that process by being extensively examined by a world-renowned expert in sexual conditions in order to chart a course to recovery. It is Jared’s intent and goal to become healthy again.

“Most importantly, Jared understands that he has hurt innocent people, vulnerable people, and his family.

“He has expressed remorse … to his loved ones, and will, when given the opportunity, express that remorse to this court and to the people he has harmed. His intent is to spend the rest of his life making amends.”

The allegations relate to Fogle’s communications with the Jared Foundation’s former executive director Russell C. Taylor, who was arrested two months ago on child pornography charges.

According to CNN, the allegations include the receiving of images of minors engaging in sexually explicit contact between 2011 and 2015.

The videos and images were allegedly recorded at Taylor’s home using hidden cameras.

It is also alleged that Fogle travelled interstate to have sex with a minor.

He will plead guilty to one count of travelling to engage in illicit sex with girls under the age of 18 and one count of receiving child pornography.

In addition, Fogle would pay $100,000 to each of his 14 under-aged victims, register as a sex offender and accept a prison sentence of no less than five years.

Federal prosecutors in return will not ask for a prison term in excess of 12-and-a-half years.

Subway, with 44,000 outlets in 110 countries, has said it no longer has a relationship with Fogle, who appeared in its ads for more than a decade — most famously with a pair of oversized jeans.

Fogle’s wife, Katie, said in a statement she was “shocked and disappointed” and in the midst of seeking a dissolution of their marriage.

A date is yet to be set for Fogle’s next court appearance.

– with Emma Manser