 Bill Cosby has denied any wrongdoing |
US comedian Bill Cosby has said a woman who accused him of sexual assault was trying to "exploit" him and "misinterpreted" his actions. Police recently said Cosby would not face charges - but the unnamed woman is now expected to pursue a civil action.
"Looking back on it, I realise words and actions can be misinterpreted by another person," said Cosby, 67.
"I'm not saying that what I did was wrong, but I apologise to my loving wife," he told the National Enquirer.
The actor added his wife had "stood by my side for all these years" and said he was sorry "for any pain I have caused her".
 |  I am not going to give in to people who try to exploit me because of my celebrity status |
"These allegations have caused my family great emotional stress," he said. The woman, who lives in Ontario, reported allegations of sexual misconduct to Canadian authorities, stemming from an incident in January 2004.
The comedian, best known for his role in the hit sitcom The Cosby Show, denied the allegations.
'Take advantage'
He said he did not know why the woman was making the accusations but told the magazine: "I am not going to give in to people who try to exploit me because of my celebrity status."
He also said: "Sometimes you try to help people and it backfires on you and then they try to take advantage of you. People can soil you by taking advantage."
Cosby's spokesman confirmed the TV star was interviewed by the magazine.
After Cosby's son Ennis was murdered in 1997, The National Enquirer offered a $100,000 (�52,000) reward that led to the arrest and conviction of the killer.
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