Paltrow set for Wallis Simpson role

Gwyneth Paltrow is to play Wallis Simpson in a drama to be made by the BBC.

Mrs Simpson almost brought down the monarchy through her affair with King Edward VIII.

He abdicated in December in 1936 and the couple married, allowing King George VI to become King.

Among those tipped to play Edward are Band of Brothers actor Damian Lewis and Tom Hollander who plays George V in the BBC drama, The Lost Prince.