Winfrey had previously not guest appeared on Letterman's Late Show

Winfrey, who has been the subject of frequent jokes by Letterman, said she had "never for a moment" had a problem with the host.

Letterman praised Winfrey, adding: "I'm just very happy you're here."

After the interview, Letterman escorted Winfrey to the New York opening of her new Broadway Show The Color Purple.

Winfrey was a guest twice on Letterman's NBC show before the comic moved to CBS in 1993 but had not appeared since then.

During her appearance, Winfrey asked Letterman: "Could you tell me please what has transpired?"

Past jibes

"I have never for a moment had a feud with you," she added.

Winfrey visited New Orleans to help survivors of September's hurricane

"I want you to know, it's really over, whatever you thought was happening."

Letterman said he appreciated Winfrey's appearance.

He said: "It means a great deal to me and I'm just very happy you're here."

The host asked Winfrey about her support for communities in Africa and the good causes taken up by The Oprah Winfrey Show.

"You have meant something to the lives of people," he said.

"We're just a TV show."

Letterman's jibes included making jokes about Winfrey's name while presenting the 1995 Oscar ceremony.