Michael Douglas was forced to have an awkward conversation with his kids when false reports in the press suggested he was divorcing their mother Catherine Zeta-Jones.

The Hollywood couple's relationship hit the headlines in February (13) when an American tabloid ran a story suggesting Douglas had walked out on the Welsh actress.

The actor's representative dismissed speculation about an impending divorce, and Douglas has now revealed the headline-grabbing rumours forced him to address the subject with the couple's young children, Dylan, 12, and Carys, 10.

He tells Britain's Event magazine, "I was trying to explain to the kids recently about some National Enquirer story about Catherine and me splitting up. I said, 'Guys, you might hear this story, it isn't true, but maybe some parents or kids at school will say something and I don't want you to be caught out. It's just not true.'

"Dylan looked at me and said, 'You mean like that story that said you were going to die in three weeks, Dad?' I said, 'Yeah, like that one. It's as true as that story.'"

Douglas goes on to insist his marriage is still going strong, adding, "We're happy... Catherine isn't just a beautiful woman, she has balance... I'm very grateful I met her."