Matt Lauer, arguably America’s most recognisable news anchor, has been fired

Matt Lauer, the NBC morning news anchor, has had his contract terminated over allegations of sexual misconduct.

One of the most recognisable faces on American news television, Matt Lauer, has seen his contract terminated over allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace.

“On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer,” Andrew Lack, NBC News' president, said in the memo.

He said the allegation against Mr. Lauer “represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company’s standards. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment.”

Lack confirmed that it was the first complaint they had received against Lauer, but suggested that it may not have been an isolated incident.

“While it is the first complaint about his behavior in the over 20 years he’s been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident.”

Savannah Guthrie, who co-hosted the Today show with Lauer, confirmed the news in a broadcast on Wednesday.

“All we can say is we are heartbroken; I’m heartbroken," she said, before describing Lauer as a "dear, dear friend."

She said, however, that she was, “heartbroken for the brave colleague who came forward to tell her story.”

Guthrie said that Lauer's departure was part of a 'national reckoning', before adding, “How do you reconcile your love for someone with the revelation that they have behaved badly?”