Nicole Kidman gorging herself to gain weight

Nicole Kidman has already added 9lbs to her svelte frame and she plans to double that over the coming weeks as she prepares for a role in the film The Reader.

"The part she plays demands that she gets fatter throughout the movie as her character slips into middle age," explains a friend.

"Nicole was originally planning to use prosthetics but was told by the director, Stephen Daldry, that it would be more realistic if she gained the weight."

The 40-year-old actress has been eating four meals a day including calorie-heavy pasta dishes and protein shakes.

"She's having to gorge herself," says the friend.