Ok I have managed to solve this using a selector. See code below:
main_header.xml:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:layout_width="fill_parent"
android:layout_height="50dip"
android:orientation="horizontal"
android:background="@drawable/main_header_selector">
</LinearLayout>
main_header_selector.xml:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<selector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
<item>
<shape>
<gradient
android:angle="90"
android:startColor="#FFFF0000"
android:endColor="#FF00FF00"
android:type="linear" />
</shape>
</item>
</selector>
Hopefully this helps someone who has the same problem.