estate in Warwick.

The world-famous movie star, whose Bermudian mother Diana Dill is the former wife of Kirk Douglas, recently arrived with his new bride, Welsh actress Catherine Zeta Jones, on a Christmas-time visit to the island.

News of his purchase would seem to confirm reports that Mr. Douglas, part- owner and a director of the Dill family's ocean-side cottage colony Ariel Sands in Devonshire, is planning to deepen personal ties with his mother's homeland -- and extended Bermudian family.

Michael Douglas has won Oscars as an actor for Wall Street and as producer of the classic One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest .

Now, his recently released films Traffic (with his wife) and Wonder Boys have both been mentioned as top contenders in the annual Golden Globe and/or Oscar Awards.

In the past, he has visited Bermuda, staying at Ariel Sands, just once a year, to attend directors' meetings, but the acquisition of his own home and his recently announced involvement in and commitment to Bermuda's tourism suggests that he and his bride see Bermuda as a "home away from home''.

He and his wife have agreed to narrate a 30-minute film on the pleasures of holidaying on the island.

With all the recent hype in the United Kingdom over the Hollywood star's marriage to the beautiful British film actress, millions of viewers are expected to tune in when the popular TV travel show Wish You Were Here airs in March.

The Department of Tourism, fighting an uphill battle in its efforts to boost visitor numbers to the island, is understandably ecstatic about Mr. Douglas' willingness to do his bit in promoting Bermuda.

Bermuda Tourism Europe's director Ian Parker said the programme would be "a real coup'' for the island: "It is going to be very, very big.'' A spokeswoman for the TV production company which has been engaged by Independent Television commented that Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones are the biggest international stars of the moment.

"He was quite keen to do it because of his connection with Bermuda,'' said the spokeswoman.