Letterman target of $2m sex blackmail bid

David Letterman has admitted to having sexual relationships with female members of his staff, revealing that someone tried to extort $2 million from him over the affairs.

Speaking on his CBS talkshow yesterday, the star explained that he received a package from an individual threatening to expose the relationships if the money was not paid.

He forwarded the information to the Manhattan district attorney's office in New York and testified before a grand jury.

The blackmailer was arrested on Thursday after being handed a fake cheque as part of the investigation.

"I have had sex with women who work on this show. Would it be embarrassing if it were made public? Perhaps it would, especially for the women," he told the audience.

"I feel like I need to protect these people - I need to certainly protect my family. I need to protect myself... I hope to protect my job."

The 62-year-old did not reveal when the relationships took place. He married his longtime girlfriend Regina Lasko earlier this year and the couple have a 5-year-old son together.

CBS has since confirmed that an employee who worked on 48 Hours has been charged with attempted grand larceny and suspended from his job.