Timberlake has previously been accused of misogyny by some over the way he treated Spears during their relationship and break-up, as well a performance he did with Jackson at the Super Bowl in 2004.

In a post on Instagram, he said he had "seen the messages, tags, comments, and concerns and I want to respond".

Spears' treatment has come under renewed scrutiny following the release of new documentary Framing Britney Spears, which examined her public unravelling in 2007.

The documentary featured a clip of an interview with Timberlake, in which he discussed how he hired an impersonator of her for the music video of Cry Me A River.

Spears and Timberlake had a high-profile relationship from the late 1990s until they split in 2002.

Jackson and Timberlake's Super Bowl performance included a controversial "wardrobe malfunction" during the track Rock Your Body, in which he pulled at a part of Jackson's costume and exposed her right breast, which was covered only by a silver decoration.

Timberlake, 40, wrote: "I am deeply sorry for the times in my life where my actions contributed to the problem, where I spoke out of turn, or did not speak up for what was right.

"I understand that I fell short in these moments and in many others and benefited from a system that condones misogyny and racism.

"I specifically want to apologise to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually, because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed."

He said he wanted to respond "because this is a larger conversation that I wholeheartedly want to be part of and grow from".

Australian Associated Press