Disgraced rugby league personality Matthew Johns has apologised to the woman at the centre of a sex scandal that has cost him his multi-million dollar career in television.

Johns was sacked by the Nine Network and quit his position as an assistant coach at the Melbourne Storm after being named as one of several Cronulla players involved in a group sex act involving a 19-year-old woman in Christchurch in New Zealand seven years ago.

The former Test star apologised for the "pain and embarrassment" he has caused the woman, but insists she was a "willing participant" in everything that occurred in the hotel room in 2002.

"Any trauma and embarrassment she has gone through as the result of this incident I am extremely sorry for," said Johns on the Nine Network.

"At no point did she object to what was going on ... at no stage was she under any distress.

"The woman was a willing participant of what went on. It's something that I regret, it's something all parties including her, all regret now.

"I did not commit an act of abuse on that woman. I am guilty of infidelity to my wife and guilty of absolute stupidity."

His wife Trish said she was "horrified and disgusted" when Matthew confessed his infidelity in 2002, but says they've dealt with the adultery over the past seven years and she has vowed to stand by her husband.

Describing the past week as a "living hell", Trish said the airing of the ordeal would only make her marriage to the 37-year-old stronger.

"We did the rebuilding the past seven years. If anything, this recent event has actually brought us closer," she said.

"His greatest crime is actually being unfaithful to me as his wife.

"It is only for me to judge him."

Johns' future had been under a cloud since the ABC's Four Corners program aired allegations about his involvement in a 2002 group sex incident in New Zealand while he was playing for Cronulla.

But after a meeting lasting just over an hour at the Nine Network on Wednesday, Channel Nine chief executive David Gyngell announced the decision was by mutual agreement "and in the best interests of the Nine Network, the game and its supporters, Matthew Johns and his family".

"The fact is, whatever the arguments about the details of the New Zealand incident involving Cronulla players in 2002, the conduct and its aftermath was simply unacceptable, fullstop," Gyngell said in a statement.

"I fully endorse (NRL chief executive) David Gallop's comments concerning the indefensible conduct of some players and the lack of respect for women and the critical focus on all stakeholders to help eradicate it from our game.

"I join with him in extending my apologies and sympathy to the young woman involved in the incident, who clearly is still distressed as a consequence."

It is the second time in three years that one of the high profile Johns brothers has confessed on national television.

Younger brother Andrew admitted to using ecstasy throughout his playing career in an emotional interview on The Footy Show in 2007.

Matthew Johns was a major personality for the Nine Network, as co-host of The Footy Show and commentator for live rugby league.

He admitted he had lived in fear that the sex scandal would be brought to the public's attention one day and was "relieved" he could now move on.

"I have never blamed anyone else in this situation than myself," he said.

"I take full responsibility for the predicament that I find myself in.

"I have got to get away and make it up to my wife and make it up to my family. As far as my career at Channel Nine, that is the furthest thing from my mind at the moment.

"Morally it is wrong and I am aware of that.

"Police completely investigated the situation and there was no case to answer.

"Everybody has something in their life they regret and would love to rewind and take away and this is mine."

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