Gwyneth Paltrow talks to her dead father via his wedding ring.

The Hollywood star has spoken at length about how devastated she was when Bruce Paltrow passed away in 2002 after battling throat cancer.

She has now claimed she regularly contacts her father's spirit, especially when she feels she needs guidance on difficult situations.

"I always hold on to his wedding ring. I ask it questions, I feel like it keeps me safe. I really sense the energy of his soul, I don't think that evaporates," she told British newspaper The Sun.

"I feel my dad, I still feel his love, I still speak to him and I still love him."

Bruce passed away in Italy, while he was helping Gwyneth celebrate turning 30.

Now time has passed the actress feels able to look at the positive things which came out of his death. She has become dedicated to health and fitness and ensures her family all look after themselves too.

"Half the reason my life is good and has real, true value is that he died. I'd obviously rather have him alive, but he gave me so much in his death," she explained.

Gwyneth met her husband Chris Martin shortly after her father died and they now have two children together.

Several years ago she admitted finding it hard that Bruce never got to meet his grandchildren, but appeared to imply he might still be able to see them in some way.

"I am interested in Jewish and Christian mysticism and Sufism. I'm also interested in cause and effect and karma and God," she said. "I don't know if I will see him again. He never got to see his grandchildren. That really sucks because he would have been the best grandfather."