Dr. Gwyneth (currently putting the 'mental' into 'environmental') claimed that she had completed a large amount of research into the subject (which naturally makes her a bit of an expert, what with being able to read and Google things). This led her to declare that shampoos and lotions can cause asthma and cancer and warned pregnant women away from their use (just what we want, a load of smelly-haired pregnant women).

"Fetuses, infants and toddlers are basically unable to metabolize toxins the way adults are, and we are constantly filling our environment with chemicals that may or may not be safe."

Wow, it really sounds as though she knows what she's talking about, doesn't it (apart from not being able to spell 'foetus' correctly)? Luckily, here's my favourite academic of the year so far. Professor Hugh Pennington who rubbishes Gwyneth's claims and the woman herself in the process.

"It does annoy me when celebrities use their position to spout nonsense. They have a perfect right to their views, even if they are loopy, but they do hold a position of influence…Shampoo is perfectly safe unless you drink it in large quantities."

Hooray! Nice one Prof. Now, what do you think about Paris Hilton's new range of sunglasses?