Chris Martin used to be a flop with the ladies.

The Coldplay frontman is amazed he managed to land Hollywood beauty Gwyneth Paltrow - who he wed in 2003 - because he was terrible at flirting with women and dating when he was younger.

The 36-year-old singer devised a cunning plan to serenade girls with heartfelt love songs, but his valiant efforts made little difference to his pulling power.

He is quoted as saying: ''I've never been good with girls. I'm not naturally handsome like Jude Law, that's why I had to learn to write songs. Just so I could get girls to even fax me. Even then they were fax rejections....''

Chris no longer has to worry about rejection now he is married to 40-year-old actress Gwyneth - who he has two children, daughter Apple, nine, and son Moses, seven.

However, the 40-year-old actress recently revealed being married to Chris wasn't always easy since his artistic temperament means he's very sensitive.

Asked what the toughest thing about being married is, the Oscar winner quipped: ''Probably our artistic temperaments together. Artists are sensitive; there are ups and downs, mood-wise. Musicians need a certain gravitas and focus in order to write. The temperament that goes with someone who is creative can be challenging.''