The clock is ticking...

The same rumor has resurfaced again -- that Gwennie and the lead singer of That Really Whiny Band are ovah. Oh and if you get the chance to watch that crapfest on PBS where Gwennie and Mario Batelli drive all over Spain, do yourself a huge favor and don't.

Gwyneth Paltrow is desperately trying to save her troubled marriage. Amid recent reports of their rocky romance, Paltrow and her husband, Coldplay rocker Chris Martin, are holed up in their London home "trying to make their marriage better," a close friend of the couple tells us.

The Oscar-winner is so committed, "she's staying overseas until the holidays are over," even forgoing events she typically loves, like tonight's third annual Food Bank Lunchbox Auction bash. She usually hosts the event with close friend Mario Batali.

"Gwyneth says she's totally fine," her pal tells us. "She's used the phrase 'perfectly happy' a bunch of times, and refuses to read any of the tabloid tales to the contrary."

But despite Paltrow's claim that everything is smooth sailing, we hear Madonna may be the thorn in her marriage's side. "Gwyneth has the Madonna bug... bad," the pal says. "It's eerie. Gwyneth acts normally until Madonna comes around, and then Gwyn is all about Madonna, all the time. Madge has even introduced Gwyneth to all her friends.

"Now instead of going to see Chris perform, she'd rather hang out with people like Alex Rodriguez and Ingrid Casares."

When contacted for comment, Gwyneth's rep said the claims of Madonna's influence were "complete nonsense." Madonna's rep also issued a denial. But if Gwyneth does succumb to Madonna's mystical powers, there's one bright side: Guy Ritchie will have a new drinking partner at the pub. {GateCrasher]