Josh Duhamel is glad he was accused of cheating as it helped him "straighten his ass out".

The American actor married Black Eyed Peas star Fergie in 2009 and less than a year into their marriage there were reports he had cheated on her with a stripper. He has always denied the allegations, with the pair renewing their vows in January 2010.

Josh admits that was a tough time for him and his wife, although looking back he wouldn't change it.

"Now, I'm actually happy that all that happened, because we wouldn't be as strong as we are now," he told Oprah Winfrey.

"As much anger as I carried about it before, I'm actually thankful that it did happen, because in a lot of ways it made me straighten my ass out."

The two stars were interviewed by the famed talk show host for an episode of her programme Oprah's Next Chapter.

Fergie, 37, struggled with the speculation around her marriage but says seeing a professional helped her and Josh deal with the rumours.

"We went to therapy," she told Oprah. "The whole thing just became a positive for Our marriage today - I couldn't ask for anything more."

The pair have been dogged by rumours they are starting a family over the last few years, which Fergie also spoke about. They are waiting for the perfect moment to have children and have already planned what family life will be like.

"Two is our number. We negotiated that early on," she laughed. "He told me he wanted five and I said, 'I'm not going any higher than two."