Gwyneth Paltrow claims Chris Martin is more like a brother to her

The actress believes Martin is a "great ex-husband"

Martin and Paltrow split in March 2014 (Getty)

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin are the former couple whose entire relationship was instantly overshadowed by the two words used to describe their break-up: "consciously uncoupling".

They have gone to great lengths to protect the harmonious relationship they now present post break-up, often appearing in Instagram photos together as a family during holidays.

The Iron Man actress praised Martin as a “great ex-husband”, although they are still not officially divorced, and said they often stay at each other’s houses, spend holidays together and have even collaborated on Coldplay’s new album.

“Well, the ideal is to stay married,” she told Glamour. “But if you can't stay married, wouldn't the ideal be that you could still be a family and you could put aside your own stuff long enough to explore—what is this new family and who am I in it? And Chris is a great ex-husband 'cause he's a very, very willing partner in how to do that.

“We spend a lot of time together. He's been away for two weeks [promoting his album]. Last night he got in at midnight and slept here so he could surprise the kids in the morning, we could all have breakfast, and he could take them to school. So…we're not living together, but he's more than welcome to be with us whenever he wants. And vice versa: I sleep in his house in Malibu a lot with the kids. We'll have a weekend all together; holidays, we're together. We're still very much a family, even though we don't have a romantic relationship. He's like my brother.”

In another admission that has had fans of her organic, luxurious lifestyle website Goop up in arms, Paltrow admitted she still sunbathes without sunscreen which, she added, “is really f**ked-up”.