Catherine Zeta-Jones was kidding about Michael Douglas wearing her underwear

Catherine Zeta-Jones was joking when she told the press her husband Michael Douglas had been trying on her underwear to get into character as flamboyant pianist Liberace.

The Wall Street actor is currently preparing to portray the gay entertainer in upcoming TV biopic Behind the Candelabra, and Catherine Zeta-Jones has been poking fun at Douglas' new gig while promoting her new movie musical Rock of Ages.

She told gossip-loving reporters, "Michael has been in the bedroom and started putting on my diamonds and things. I'm like, 'Michael, please take off those pants (underwear). Take 'em off baby. Come on, give me back my rocks (diamonds).'"

Zeta-Jones repeated the gag during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Thursday (07Jun12), but she immediately made it clear she was just having some fun.

She said, "I'm kidding, before anyone writes that my husband's a cross-dresser, I'm kidding! He wishes (he could wear my underwear)! If he could fit into them!"

However, Catherine Zeta-Jones admits there is one part of Michael Douglas' role preparation that she isn't a fan of - his awful attempts at playing the piano.

She explains, "As Michael always does, he throws himself into it 125 per cent, so he's playing the piano. I've sent him off to the guesthouse because I can't stand it."

Behind the Candelabra, which is due to begin filming this summer (12), will also star Matt Damon as Liberace's gay lover and Dan Aykroyd as his manager.