Gwyneth Paltrow has been accused of stealing the idea for her weekly newsletter GOOP.

Writer and nutritionist Mary Kent Hearon insists the ‘Iron Man’ actresses’ lifestyle site - which is dedicated to health and 'nourishing the inner aspect' – is a copy of her website WeeklyBeet, which was launched in 2004.

Mary claims she went to college with a close friend of Gwyneth’s, resulting in her organising a meeting with the 34-year-old star in a London restaurant to pitch her idea for the site.

Mary said in a statement: “I am shocked that someone whom I looked up to and so admired for her openness about alternative medicine, a) treated me very rudely, and b) proceeded to produce a concept which, in my opinion, is similar to The Beet, especially after being asked to bless mine. That to me is not light!”

Gwyneth’s representatives have strongly denied the accusations.

Last month, Gwyneth blasted critics of the site claiming those who were rude  about it were failing to understand its message.

She said: "I think the people who are criticising it or criticising the idea of it, don't really get it, because if they did, they would like it."