Michael Douglas receives Palm Springs Icon award

The -year-old actor received a standing ovation as he collected the prize on Thursday night, which was his first public appearance since revealing he has beaten cancer, reported a daily.

The `Wall Street` star spent six months receiving treatment for throat cancer following the shock diagnosis last August, and he went public this week with the news that the tumour has been eradicated.

Douglas largely avoided work functions while he was undergoing treatment, but he stepped out with his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones on Thursday to walk the red carpet at the Californian film event and pick up his Icon Award.

The audience at the gala honoured the brave actor by giving him a standing ovation as he took the stage.

"I`ve been laying low for the last six months, so to be able to be at this (event), it`s a treat and we`re happy to be here," Douglas said.