Stephen Colbert regrets being one of the famous faces who stoked conspiracy theories about Catherine, Princess of Wales ahead of her cancer treatment announcement

Stephen said on the latest episode of his show about regretting his remarks: "There's a standard that I try to hold myself to, and that is I do not make light of somebody else's tragedy.

"Far too many of us know that any cancer diagnosis of any kind is harrowing for the patient and for their family.

"Though I'm sure they don't need it from me, I and everyone here at 'The Late Show' would like to extend our well-wishes and heartfelt hope that her recovery is swift and thorough."

Some TV fans said his words didn't go far enough, with one saying on X: "No actual apology from Stephen Colbert to Kate Middleton."

Others branded him a "jerk" - but some defended the presenter, saying he didn't need go apologise for jokes.

Trolls flooded the web with wild and unfounded conspiracy theories about Catherine's health, marriage and whereabouts in the lead-up to her cancer announcement.

Stephen mentioned one of the most shocking theories on his show, and followed it up by gasping and sarcastically adding: "Oh no, my heart goes out to poor Kate."

Presenter Andy Cohen, 55, has also come under fire for trolling Catherine in the lead-up to her health update, along with Kim Kardashian, 43, who joked on Instagram that she was "on her way to find" Catherine before she returned to the public spotlight to say she was having cancer treatment.

Catherine said in her video announcement on Friday she had taken time to explain her absence from the spotlight to give her and her husband Prince William, 42, time to "explain everything" to their children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Louis "in a way that is appropriate for them".