GWYN TO WED CHRIS
Mar 9 2003
Exclusive by Polly Graham Showbusiness Editor
HOLLYWOOD beauty Gwyneth Paltrow has secretly got engaged to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
The Shakespeare In Love star jumped for joy when British-born Chris, who at 25 is five years her junior, popped the question.
The besotted couple, who have been dating since last August are being extremely secretive about their happy news.
But a close friend said: "They are still getting used to the fact that they are engaged.
"He can't stop calling her his fiancee all the time and can't wait for her to be his wife. He can hardly contain himself - with her, he says, he feels like a whole person for the first time.
"They are even more lovey-dovey than usual and can't get enough of each other. They are perfectly suited. There is no doubt in either of their minds they're doing the right thing. They're perfect for one another."
HOLDPLAY: Gwyneth hangs on to Chris
It is the first time double Brit award winner Chris has been engaged.
Gwyneth, on the other hand, was previously betrothed to Hollywood heart-throbs Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck. She was devastated when Brad married Friends star Jennifer Aniston, while Ben is now engaged to Jennifer Lopez.
Talking about Chris, she joked: "I have found some very dirty socks in his bachelor pad and the stench from them was terrible. Apart from that, I can't really fault him."
Gwyneth has made no secret of her desire to settle down. She recently said: "I want a husband and children. I'm looking forward to family life." And in a veiled dig at twice-wed Jennifer Lopez she added: "I don't want to be married for six months and then say, 'Oh well, never mind, let's go on to number two'."
Chris, who revealed he didn't lose his virginity until he was 22, and Gwyneth are both teetotal and self-confessed health freaks.
Gwyneth attended last month's Brits when Coldplay picked up awards for best band and album. She sneaked into the audience at the last minute so she didn't upstage his night.
Their love had already been put to the test when they were parted for two months while she was in New Zealand to film Ted and Sylvia, about the tragic poet Sylvia Plath.
He also stood by her as she grieved over the death of her beloved father, Bruce.
The relationship first came to light last August when Chris dedicated his hit song In My Place to Gwyneth, who was in the audience at a New York gig.
It wasn't long before Gwyneth had introduced her new man to her mum Blyth. Chris's parents Anthony and Alison have also met Gwyneth at their Devon home. Mum Alison said later: "She is a lovely girl. Chris is very happy."