The Macrobiotic Woman: Gwyneth to star in cookery show

The macrobiotic enthusiast will leave hubby Chris Martin and kids Apple and Moses behind for two months as she tours Spain with chef Mario Batali.

It will be a far cry from Tinseltown as Gwyneth and Mario travel the country, cooking and sampling the local delicacies with cameras following her every move.

Although it's not too clear who will tune into a cookery show for Gwyneth's Paltrow's tips.

But the cooking extravaganza, which is being made by American channel PBS, kicks off in October as Gwynnie and Mario take to the Spanish roads.

The actress, 34, is a famously fussy eater and has been ridiculed in the past for her bizarre and strict diet regimes.

They have ranged from strictly macrobiotic to Atkins to vegetarian-who-eats-fish diets. She still doesn't eat pork or beef, but is willing to sample other delicacies for the show. Gwyneth claimed: "I eat all that [Spanish] stuff. The crazy fish things, the eels, I love it all." What about the Iberico ham and cold meats?

The TV programme will pay homage to a country where Paltrow spent many childhood summers.

It will also give her a chance to offer America a look at Spanish cooking. Channel 4 and ITV are currently in a bidding war to win the rights to show the programme over here.

A source said: "This is so far removed from what Gwyneth is used to that the show is sure to be a ratings winner. It can't fail.

One wonders if there's a macrobiotic recipe for disaster...

"Even if it's proper car-crash TV it will be entertaining at least."