Tom Cruise Gets Apology For 'Mental Illness' Comments

The TV doctor who suggested that Tom Cruise may be mentally ill has played down his psychoanalysis of the actor.

Dr. Drew Pinsky came under fire from Cruise's attorney Bert Fields over comments he made in a Playboy article.

The medic - who fronts US show Celebrity Rehab - speculated that Cruise's Scientology beliefs could be a result of childhood "neglect."

Fields has since blasted Pinsky, calling him "unprofessional" and "unqualified".

In a statement released on Thursday, a spokesman for the doctor said, "Dr. Drew meant no harm to Mr. Cruise and apologises if his comments were hurtful."

Defiant Pinsky has now taken aim at Fields for his comments after the lawyer called the doctor a "posturing flake" who "pretends to diagnose people he's never met."

Pinsky's rep adds, "Although Mr. Fields intent is clearly to slander and discredit Dr. Drew, under no circumstances is Dr. Drew making a blanket diagnosis about Scientology nor Mr. Cruise, whom he does not know.

"Dr. Drew was simply using Mr. Cruise as an example of someone who is recognisable to help the public understand."