Jessica Simpson’s father Joe has finally put to rest rumours that he is gay, it has been reported.

Speculation has been swirling around Hollywood for weeks that the 54-year-old has been dating an aspiring male model.

But Joe has been trying to put an end to the rumours by telling friends and family that the speculation is absurd, it has been reported.

He claims the stories are ‘ridiculous’, sources told TMZ.

The speculation started after it was claimed Joe has been dating Bryce Chandler Hill, who at 21 is 33 years his junior, on and off for about a year.

– Daily Mail

Joe recently split from his wife Tina – Jessica Simpson’s mother – after 34 years of marriage.

It was rumoured the marriage crumbled after Joe came out as gay.

A source allegedly told Radar Online that Bryce and Joe were introduced by a mutual friend, who is close to Joe’s famous daughters Jessica and Ashlee.

The insider reportedly told the website: ‘Joe Simpson being outed by the National Enquirer was no surprise to the gay community in Hollywood, Bryce has been bragging about hooking up with Joe for a while now.

‘Bryce is close to TJ Espinoza, who in turn is good friends with both Jessica and Ashlee and worked for Britney Spears as a back-up dancer.’

The source added: ‘TJ introduced Bryce to the Simpsons – and that’s how he met Joe.’

Bryce appeared to be denying the allegations when he posted on his Twitter page on Friday: ‘Yes, I’ve read the story….it’s simply NOT TRUE.’

The insider claims that Jessica is allegedly coming to terms with the news that her father, who also acts as her manager, is gay, but was apparently blindsided by the revelation.

The source said: ‘Jessica had absolutely no clue that her father was gay, not even the slightest inkling. She thinks she has very good gaydar, especially since a lot of her friends are gay, but she did not see this coming at all.

‘It was a complete shock to the system, she feels terribly for her mom who was left reeling by the announcement and her sister Ashlee has also taken the news quite badly.’

The website reports that Jessica is doing her best to get her head around the shock but is having ‘difficulty’.

Joe and Tina were first reported to have broken up earlier this year and last month put their Los Angeles home on the market for $4.4million.