Catherine Zeta-Jones says she was 'devastated' when husband Michael Douglas was accused of sexual misconduct

Catherine Zeta-Jones says she and her children were "devastated" when her husband Michael Douglas was accused of sexual misconduct earlier this year.

The actor told The Times how she confronted her spouse of 18 years after journalist Susan Braudy said Douglas had once masturbated in front of her and harassed her repeatedly. Douglas has denied the accusations.

"My children and I were profoundly devastated by those allegations," Zeta-Jones, who has a son and a daughter with Douglas, said. "And I was torn about where my absolute morals lie."

The Oscar winner added that she had a "very big conversation" with Douglas about the claims, with their children in the room.

"This woman came out of nowhere and accused my husband," she said.

Zeta-Jones deemed the accusations "nasty", particularly since they surfaced at the height of the #MeToo movement, which they have both publicly supported.

Douglas, according to the actor, told his family there was "no story" and that time would vindicate him.

Braudy told NBC in January this year that Douglas acted inappropriately towards her on several occasions in the 1980s, while she worked at his production company.

The journalist said Douglas's behaviour escalated to the point that she avoided being in his presence.

"I made sure that I was never ever ever alone with him again," she said.

"It became a very hostile work environment for me."

Douglas told Deadline before NBC published Braudy's account: "This is a complete lie, fabrication, no truth to it whatsoever."