Antonio Banderas has praised his wife Melanie Griffith for showing courage in her ongoing battle with addiction.

The Shrek Forever After star married Griffith in 1996, but their marriage was rocked in 2007 when the former drug addict became dependent on prescription pills which she was given after a skiing accident.

The Working Girl star was admitted to rehab in 2009 and has now kicked her drug habit.

Banderas admits it's a daily struggle for his wife to stay "clean", but he's proud she has overcome her problems. He explains, "(She) was and is an addict. Her problem was the pills she took after an accident when she had been clean for many years. It is a struggle she handles very well.

"It is a battle she's keeping up because she's a very cheerful and strong woman."

Antonio Banderas Pictures