The Hollywood actor is convinced the story came about because he was admitted to rehab for alcohol dependency and had just made a racy movie, prompting speculation his treatment was linked to his sex life.

However, Douglas is now keen to set the record straight after being stuck with the label for more than 20 years.

He tells Britain's Event magazine, "Let me explain how that whole sex addiction thing happened. I had an alcohol issue - I'd just lost my stepfather and it was a good rehab session; it certainly helped me find out a couple of things. Basic Instinct had just come out and I don't remember who the clever editor was in London, but they came up with sex addiction. It became a new disease. No one had heard of that up until then, but it's stuck with me ever since. And it still pops up now and again... My father is actually rather proud of it... Dad's a very funny guy."