Gwyneth expecting summer baby

Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow and rocker Chris Martin are expecting a baby next summer, the couple confirmed.

But the publicity-shy pair would not say whether they intended to wed, despite a string of recent hints dropped by Shakespeare In Love actress Paltrow.

A spokesman for the pair, Stephen Huvane, said in a statement last night: “Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin are pleased to confirm that they are expecting their first child next summer.”

Oscar-winning actress Paltrow, 31, and Coldplay front man Martin, 26, have been dating for a year.

Since their relationship became public knowledge last summer they have gone to extraordinary lengths to avoid being photographed together, even turning up to red carpet events separately.

But in an interview with the BBC’s Michael Parkinson recently Paltrow said she “hoped” to marry.

Pressed on whether she meant to Martin, she said: “I’m the wrong person to ask – ask him.”

Paltrow, who splits her time between New York and London, told the USA Today newspaper recently she was ready to settle down and focus on “partners and babies”.

Earlier this year, the couple were reported to be preparing to tie the knot at a property owned by film director Steven Spielberg at The Hamptons in New York.

It is also believed they have started house-hunting in the leafy Belsize Park area of north London.

Neighbours in the area would include Kate Winslet, Kate Moss and Helena Bonham Carter.

Martin already has a flat in the area but is said to spend much of his time at Paltrow’s house in Belgravia, south west London.

Paltrow has previously had high-profile relationships with film stars Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck.

She told USA Today that she was camera shy with Martin because of all the media interest her past relationships had provoked.

She said she did not want to be a “tabloid person”.

Paltrow also revealed that she had endured the “worst year” of her life following the death of her father Bruce from throat cancer in October last year.

His death, in Rome during her 30th birthday celebrations, gave her a new perspective on life she said.