So British men are useless, Gwyneth?

Gwyneth Paltrow may be one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, but she still can't get a man on this side of The Pond, it seems. After her recent stay in London, the American actress blames British men for being useless at dating - but is that the real problem?

While famous exes Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck have found love in the arms of Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Lopez respectively, the 29-year-old has been left on the shelf - and she's not happy about it.

Now she wants a nice British "toff" to fit into her clean-living lifestyle. If only she could find one - for it seems they are all too scared to ask her out.

The Shakespeare In Love star has revealed that she was only asked on two dates while appearing in Proof at the Donmar Warehouse in London.

"I did get asked out a couple of times on my last trip to London and I went out on both. They were very charming. I only go for the toffs."

One of the "toffs" was actor James Purefoy, star of A Knight's Tale. But on the whole Paltrow was disappointed with the British dating scene.

"The British don't seem to ask each other out. If someone asks you out they're really going out on a limb, whereas in America it happens all the time.

"Someone will come up to you and ask you for dinner and you'll say `Sure'. It's no big deal and no weight should be attached to it. It's only dinner for God's sake."

Her views will hit British male egos hard in the wake of damning criticism by Canadian journalist Leah McLaren.

She described British males as repressed homosexuals who "live in abject fear of being left alone with an unknown woman".

But perhaps not all the blame should be with the British male. Vicky Mayer, deputy of editor of Now magazine which published the actress's comments, thinks the problem might be with Paltrow.

With ex-boyfriends like Pitt and Affleck is it any wonder men are scared of approaching her? "She is used to having very A-list boyfriends and needs to go out with someone as famous as her. Men are absolutely terrified."

But famous doesn't mean forever. Mayer admits that Paltrow has had a hard time with men in the past. Her relationship with Pitt died after three years and he went on to wed Aniston. Her on-off relationship with Affleck ended after more than two years and she is said to be unhappy he is dating Jennifer Lopez.

But ordinary guys can also be difficult for Paltrow to date. The Oscar-winning actress is known for being stylish as well as for her volatile emotions - as shown by her tearful Oscar acceptance speech.

Any man would have to have real style but also be able to support her emotionally.

Mayer says Paltrow is asking too much of British men. "She's a bit picky, she's got an idea of what she wants and she's not going to find it in London."

Also with the constant attention a Hollywood star receives, especially in Britain, any date is going to have to be ready to be hounded by photographers.

"You can't imagine going into a pub just to have a drink with her, the paparazzi are so ferocious over here."

But it is not just the press frightening off potential suitors. Paltrow seldom drinks, follows a macrobiotic diet and practises yoga religiously. Mayer says Paltrow should tone down her clean-living Hollywood lifestyle.

"It's the whole LA thing of working out all the time, she is shocked by the amount we drink and go down the pub."

To attract a British mate Paltrow has got to go native. "She would be better off just getting into the vibe of London and understanding what makes us tick.

"Madonna managed to do it. We have seen her going down the pub and washing the car."

A British lifestyle means a different dating game. "British dating is different, it's not as obvious as asking someone out, we're more likely to go to the pub.

"British men are not so romantic and that is what she is up against."

HOW GWYNETH CAN GET HER MAN. Poor Gwyneth - it's hard being a single celeb. So

to help the lonely star get a date we asked Dr Pam Spurr author of The Dating

Survival Guide (Robson Books £6.99) for some tips.

DUMP THE A-Z ROMANTIC CHECKLIST: Paltrow has said she wants to date a `toff' - a man who is well spoken, from a certain background and with a high income. But does such a prince charming exist?

Dr Spurr thinks she needs to widen her circle of opportunity. "I am sure she has an amazingly long check list. We all should have high expectation of human qualities like warmth and respect but not everyone has the perfect job, wonderful friends etc."

ASK HIM OUT YOURSELF!: Secondly Dr Spurr thinks Paltrow needs to buck up her old fashioned ideals, just because only two British men asked her out doesn't mean she can't ask out ten more herself. "If he doesn't ask you out then you can. You don't have to look desperate all you have to do is be confident."

BE FLIRTY - NOT FORWARD: In the past Paltrow has spoken of her high sex drive. But Dr Spurr says such revelations can work against her. "Men can find a high sex drive quite daunting. Gwyneth needs to learn how to flirt and not be overtly sexual. Holding off going to bed means the men can build up confidence. If she is such a sex siren men need time to get confident around her otherwise they will be daunted."

BE KNOWING NOT A KNOW IT ALL: Lastly Dr Spurr says Paltrow needs to be "knowing" not "a know it all". "Someone as well travelled, well educated, well wined and dined as Gwyneth will know so much she risks becoming a know-it-all."

Dr Spurr isn't suggesting Paltrow should come across as being stupid but she should be careful of getting into competition with her date. "Modern women should see conversation as a gentle game of tennis not an opportunity to serve all the aces. Gwyneth needs to come across as her date's equal."

AND BOYS? GET ON WITH IT FOR GOD'S SAKE.... With such good advice Gwyneth should have no problems finding herself a man - but British men need to make an effort to change too.

Dr Spurr thinks they ought to get their confidence up. "What's the worse that could happen? So you get rejected, everyone's been rejected." Just not by Gwyneth Paltrow perhaps.