Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow says she is so embarrassed by her tearful Oscars speech, that she has banished her best actress trophy from her home.

The 27-year-old star revealed she can no longer bear to look at the golden statuette, in an interview with Woman's Journal magazine

"It's in storage," she admitted. "I don't want that thing in my house. It scares me."

Paltrow won the award for her role in Shakespeare in Love at last year's Oscars ceremony, but broke down in floods of tears on the big night.

She was ridiculed in the press and recently described herself as "a wimp" for making such a scene.

The actress, who will be in London next week for the premiere of her latest film, The Talented Mr Ripley, also said she is considering keeping her new dark-haired look to stop herself being recognised in public.

Paltrow dyed her hair brown for the movie Bounce, in which she stars alongside on-off boyfriend Ben Affleck.

"I'm very into brunette now. I might keep it. No one recognises me much, which is a very good thing," she said.