Letterman’s TV apology to wife for his affairs

America's top television host today issued a public apology to his wife after admitting a string of affairs.

David Letterman apologised to Regina Lasko after it emerged he had slept with several of his CBN chat show staff and been the target of a $2 million blackmail plot over the transgressions.

In his first appearance since his on-air confession last week, the Late Show host said his wife was "horribly hurt". He added: "I'm terribly sorry that I put the staff in that position. The staff here have been wonderfully supportive... so, again, my thanks to the staff for putting up with something stupid I've gotten myself involved in."

Referring to his wife, the 62-year-old said: "If you hurt a person and it's your responsibility, you try to fix it." Before launching into the apology he joked: "I got into the car this morning and the navigation lady wasn't speaking to me."