'It's completely false': Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones deny marriage split

PUBLISHED: 14:01 EST, 20 February 2013 | UPDATED: 02:37 EST, 21 February 2013

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have denied reports that their marriage has been under strain.

The celebrity couple, who have been married for 12 years, were reported by the National Enquirer to have recently been in the midst of a 'hush hush trial separation.'

However a representative told MailOnline that 'the story is completely false.'

Her biggest supporter: Michael Douglas with Catherine Zeta-Jones at the premiere of Side Effects last week

Denial: Michael Douglas, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, pictured at the premiere of Side Effects at the beginning of February, have said rumours of a split are 'completely false'

Indeed, the couple have been looking more in love than ever lately, appearing together on the New York red carpet for Catherine's latest film Side Effects and at New York Fashion Week. .

The Enquirer alleges that the marriage 'buckled under the pressure of dealing with Michael's cancer battle, his son Cameron's incarceration on drugs charges and Catherine's struggle with bipolar II disorder.'

The publication even claims that 68-year-old Michael 'moved out' of the home he shared with the 43-year-old actress and children Dylan, 12, and nine-year-old Carys, moving into a nearby rental property.

'Michael said something to the effect that he and Catherine were taking a "time out", and he was looking forward to having an entire house as his personal man cave,' a source said.

Hats off: Catherine and Michael, pictured with their children Dylan, 12, and Carys, nine at the actress's royal investiture at Buckingham Palace in February 2011

Douglas was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer in 2010 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment before declaring himself 'cancer free' last year.

Troubled: Cameron Douglas, pictured with Michael in 2009, had his prison sentence extended last year for possession of drugs in jail

But just three months later, Catherine checked herself in to hospital where she was treated with bipolar II disorder.

The same year, Cameron, 34, Michael's son with former wife Diandra, was given a further four and a half years for possessing drugs while in jail - added to his original five year stretch.

'Dealing with all this issues put an additional strain on Michael and Catherine marriage,' another source said.

According to the Enquirer, cracks began to publicly appear when Catherine was a 'no show' at a special screening of her father-in-law Kirk Douglas's film Spartacus last year.

'Michael made some lame excuse, but when she skipped the family dinner, it was obvious that something was not right,' a source said. 'I think he felt completely betrayed that Catherine didn't show up.'

However, representatives for the star insist that Catherine was in attendance at the dinner.

The Enquirer reports that the Welsh actress is 'determined' to save the marriage for the sake of the children.

'It's because of Dylan and Carys that Michael and Catherine aren't giving up on each other,' the source said.'But only time will tell if they can make things work over the long haul.'

The report comes after Michael gave a recent interview to People saying his wife is 'more beautiful than ever.'

And he said he supports the 43-year-old Welsh star with everything because she is 'simply the best'.

He told People magazine: 'Catherine and I are doing well. She is more beautiful than ever inside and out. I support her with everything and she is simply the best.'

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Catherine and Michael have been through a lot so I wonder why people dont wish them well.

- bren , toronto, 21/2/2013 14:08

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68 and 43..... that is a huge age gap - I am amazed DM haven't been banging on about that for all these years - Oh yes! Because the man is the old one it barely gets a mention! Age gaps are incredibly difficult to deal with long term, no matter which way around ultimately it becomes and issue, I couldn't imagine going to bed with a 70 year old in my forties.

- Lara , London, Algeria, 21/2/2013 14:01

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Should've had the kids' ears pinned back when they were babies, makes it much more difficult as they get older

- Gina , London, United Kingdom, 21/2/2013 13:36

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married him for the money and lifestyle she thinks she is hollywood royalty and she is forever made now and an acting career what acting career her career was marying him im sorry.

- ricey , rugeley, United Kingdom, 21/2/2013 13:32

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She doesn't need him anymore - she's still much younger and beautiful - he's on the downward spiral of fame, she 's achieved what she set out to do, leaving Mumbles for hollywood.

- colleen hindle , newcastle upon tyne, 21/2/2013 13:20

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Her son looks so much like her.

- dailymailgirl , London, United Kingdom, 21/2/2013 13:19

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Hmm watch this space....he has served his purpose!

- Melissa , UK, United Kingdom, 21/2/2013 13:18

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He hasn't looked happy for a long time- the thrill where he looked intoxicated by the relationship did disappeare. He spotted her in Zorro and he is known for his dysfunctional relationships with women, having been one of the first in Hollywood to come out with a sex addiction problem. Initial attraction is not necessarily enough to sustain a long relationship. He needed someone really stable and a partner with bi-polar is not that. She will need support and understanding and a reformed sex addict ( narcissism is often an element ) is unlikely not to be able to provide what she needs either. Here' s hoping their sweet children avoid their own addiction problems ( unlike his desperate son) and bi-polar issues too. Sad for them all.

- MarinaKennedy , Bath, 21/2/2013 13:08

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Thats because she marrried him for love and not the money....... yeah right..

- trojanhunter007 , camberley, United Kingdom, 21/2/2013 12:59

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o dear Michael's face - what happened?? - judy diamond, canberra, 20/2/2013 ----------------------------------One he got older, [we all do, if we are lucky] two, he has had treatment for stage 4 cancer, that's enough to knock the stuffing out of anyone. Pity you have the poor taste to ask that question!

- redone , sunderland, 21/2/2013 12:57

Click to rate Rating 26

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