U.S. television personality Bryant Gumbel Tuesday revealed he recently underwent surgery after he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

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People.com said the 61-year-old sportscaster and former "Today" show anchor explained on "Live! with Regis & Kelly" how he had a malignant tumor and part of his lung removed last month.

"We had told a few people, we told my family, obviously. I even kept it from my staff at 'Real Sports.' So I'm okay for the time being," he told host Kelly Ripa and the audience on Tuesday's edition of "Live!" "I'm hoping they greenlight me to play golf again."

Gumbel was filling in for Regis Philbin as co-host while Philbin recovers from hip-replacement surgery when he made the announcement.

People.com quoted Gumbel as saying he is scheduled to see his surgeon next week to check on his progress in battling the disease.