Evangelist 'was blackmailed'

A PROMINENT American TV evangelist has revealed three people tried to extort millions of dollars from him to stay quiet about an affair he had with a woman several years ago.

Marcus Lamb made the comments yesterday during a special broadcast on the DayStar Television Network. He and his wife, Joni, founded the Christian network, which is based in Dallas.

The Lambs said they had been keeping their troubles private so they could heal their marriage.

DayStar features some of the highest-profile evangelists in the world, including Joel Osteen, TD Jakes and Benny Hinn.