Gwyneth Paltrow was mistaken for Britney Spears at a elementary school reading as part of the Sundance Film Festival.

Gwyneth was at the festival to promote her new film The Good Night but included time in her schedule to read a Dr Seuss book to a couple of second grade children at the nearby McPoland Elementary School.

Gwyneth was introduced as being a “very special guest” to do the reading and one of the children in the audience asked: “Is it Britney Spears?”

Gwyneth laughed at the suggestion and replied: “I’m sorry I’m not Britney Spears, but I’ll work on my dance routine.”

The mother of two read from “my daughter’s favourite” book, ‘One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish’ before leading the class in an impromptu rendition of ‘Consider Yourself’ from the musical Oliver!.

Gwyneth said afterwards that she was keen to promote children’s reading: “If we can’t read and don’t enjoy it, life isn’t as interesting. When you read a book, you can use your imagination, you have a picture in your head. I love to read.”