Chris Martin knocks down photographer

Chris Martin allegedly knocked down a photographer with his car as he, estranged wife Gwyneth Paltrow and their two children left a restaurant.

The Coldplay frontman had enjoyed an evening at California restaurant Giorgio Baldi with estranged wife Gwyneth Paltrow and their children Apple, 10, and Moses, eight, on Sunday before leaving in a jeep, and as he pulled out of the parking lot, the Viva La Vida hitmaker reportedly struck the paparazzo as he rushed up to the car to try and take a picture of the family.

An ambulance was called and the unnamed man was taken to hospital.

However, website TMZ have suggested there is something "weird" about the incident as a second photographer took pictures of the alleged altercation from across the street - a position they wouldn't need to be in as most paparazzi are able to stand right outside the eatery.

Despite the dramatic end to the evening, insiders said the former couple - who split last March after nine years of marriage - appeared very happy to be out together.

One source told X17Online: "It's rare to see Gwyneth and Chris like that, playing family with the kids.

"There is usually some distance between them, like they take separate cars to meet up at a restaurant.

"But here they were all together, back together like one big happy family.

"They all seemed really happy to be together.

"It was like this is the way they're supposed to be, together."

A spokesperson for Martin hasn't commented on the incident.