26 OCTOBER 2005

Speculation that Gwyneth Paltrow is expecting a sister or brother for daughter Apple is hotting up after the actress hinted she was looking forward to a new arrival. Asked recently why hubby Chris Martin hadn't joined her at the UK premiere of Proof, the Oscar-winner coyly patted her stomach and said "there are two Paltrows here tonight".

Her cryptic comment came just a few days after her mum Blythe Danner let slip that she was looking forward to becoming a grandmother again. And the film's director John Madden further fuelled the rumour mill by admitting he'd congratulated her on the baby.

Fans hoping to have the news confirmed by signs of a bump have likely been disappointed, however. Stepping out for a celeb-packed event to launch pal Stella McCartney's new collection for H&M, the actress looked her usual svelte self in an elegant velvet jacket matched with tweed shorts.

Stella's garments are the items du jour of her coterie of celeb friends such as Madonna and Liv Tyler. Now her sought-after skinny jeans, silk cami tops and gem-coloured evening wear will be available on the high street at a snip of their usual prices.

"This one-off collection is a 'best of' Stella McCartney," said the fashion designer. "So many people come up to me and say 'I love your designs but could never afford them'. This collaboration is a great way to speak to a wider audience."