MICHAEL DOUGLAS and CATHERINE ZETA JONES remain locked in a bitter cash feud - which could jeopardise their future wedding.

The BASIC INSTINCT star is refusing to marry Welsh beauty Zeta Jones - mother of his baby son DYLAN - until the couple settle on a prenuptial agreement.

The actor fears another big pay-out, after having to split his multi-million fortune with ex-wife DIANDRA. Douglas is refusing to meet Zeta Jones' demands of $4.5 million (£3 million) and a house if their marriage fails, while the FATAL ATTRACTION star insists on a settlement of $1.05 million (£700,000)and use of a luxury home he will still own.

Despite claims the couple are set to marry in California later this month (SEP00), a friend revealed the wedding is off until the couple thrash out of a deal.

The friend says, "At 55, Michael is nothing if not a very astute businessman. He's not about to give away everything he's worked so hard for. "Diandra took him to cleaners and now his idea is better safe than sorry. "Some of us even feel Catherine got pregnant to have an ace up her sleeve."

(RGS/WNTRE/CPT)

Source: WENN