Nicole, Gwyneth and Stella are attacked for their bad science

Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman and Stella McCartney have come under attack for spouting 'pseudo-science'. They and health gurus including Gillian McKeith have been slammed by the charity Sense About Science for making spurious claims based on vague scientific concepts. Paltrow's comments about fighting 'evil genes' with 'biological foods' and Green Goddess Julia Stephenson's 'war on electrosmog' are among the examples cited by the charity in a new report.

McCartney's claim that 60 per cent of what you put on your skin is absorbed into it is also rubbished. The fashion designer also expressed alarm that moisturisers contain the same chemicals as antifreeze, although scientists say that is to be expected. Kidman's claims about the benefits of playing Nintendo's Dr Kawashima's Brain Training game are also questioned.

Referring to Sarah Beeney's advocacy of 'chemical free' mousturisers on the Channel 4 show, How Toxic Are You, Ian Mabbutt of the University of Swansea pointed out: "To be chemical free you have to experience a total vacuum greater than that of space." Comments from 'holisitic nutritionist' Gillian McKeith implying that obesity is genetic are also criticised in the report. (Continued below)

However the report notes that the number of scientific gaffes spotted this year is on the wane. Peter McNaughton, a pharmacologist at Cambridge University, says: "Celebrities occupy a powerful position; they have access to the media in a way that scientific experts generally do not."