A man who cheated on his wife has been forced to stand in a busy street with a sign confessing his sins attached to his body.

William Taylor from Virginia in the US put himself on public display on a street corner during rush hour, just to make things right with his spouse.

Photos: The sign of shame

His sign read, "I cheated and this is my punishment."

Taylor's wife made the deal with him after he was caught being unfaithful.

It's understood he will stand in the same spot for the rest of the week.

Taylor's reported as saying, when asked about the payback plan, "I thought she was kidding, but she was serious."

However, it's been suggested that it might be a publicity stunt or a ratings driver for a media organisation.

But the cheating husband has added, "I figured I got to do what I got to do to makes things right. So here I am."