Matt Lauer says he is “truly sorry” to anyone he is hurt by his words and actions in his first public comments since being fired by NBC amid sexual misconduct allegations.

Lauer’s former “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie read a statement from Lauer at the top of this morning’s show, a day he was fired by NBC for “inappropriate sexual behaviour.”

Published reports accuse Lauer of crude and habitual misconduct with other women around the office.

Lauer says in the statement that some of what is being said “is untrue or mischaracterized.”

But he adds that there is enough truth in the stories to make him “feel embarrassed or ashamed.”

He says “repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching” and says he’s “committed to beginning that effort.”

Lauer is the biggest media figure brought down by sexual misconduct allegations since Bill O’Reilly and Roger Ailes were ousted from Fox News Channel.

Lauer’s exit comes amid a wave of accusations sweeping through the media, Hollywood and politics.

He had long been a valuable and highly visible part of NBC News and one of the highest-paid figures in the industry.

Lauer was fired Wednesday for what NBC called “inappropriate sexual behaviour” with a colleague.

The announcement was quickly followed by a published report in Variety accusing him of crude and habitual misconduct with other women around the office.

(The Associated Press)