Paltrow denies snubbing her own party

Gwyneth Paltrow has slammed reports she snubbed a party held in her honour, insisting she never intended to attend the event.

Paramount Pictures executives spared no expense in throwing an extravagant bash for the 'Iron Man' star, intended as a thank-you for her hard work on the film's recent promotional tour.

Studio bosses reportedly lavished $120,000 (€76,796) on the private celebration at London restaurant Cocoon on Thursday, inviting 30 of her closest family and friends and supplying Perrier Jouet champagne and vodka cocktails that she was said to have requested.

Arrangements for a private entrance were also in place for the arrival of the actress and her husband, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, in keeping with their pact never to be photographed together.

But at the last minute, Paltrow, 35, disappointed guests, including her in-laws Anthony and Alison Martin, when she and her husband instead went for an impromptu meal with her 'Iron Man' co-star Robert Downey Jr.

However, the actress is adamant she had not promised to be at the affair.

On Saturday, Paltrow's spokesperson said: "Gwyneth was never meant to attend the afterparty. She was at a taping of the Jonathan Ross show which ran late and then she went home to be with her children. Everyone was told weeks ago that she would not be attending.

"She has said many times that she deliberately does not make public appearances with her husband."