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Jessica Simpson skips nephew's birthday

Dec 5, 2012, 2:01 GMT

Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson skipped her nephew's birthday to avoid her dad.

The NBC 'Fashion Star' mentor - who is pregnant with her second child with fiance Eric Johnson - reportedly failed to attend her nephew Bronx's fourth birthday as she can't stand to be in the same room as her father Joe.

A source told US Weekly magazine: 'One of her girlfriends says it's because she doesn't want to be anywhere near her dad.'

The 32-year-old singer is said to have been going out of her way to have minimal contact with her Joe, who is also her manager, since her parents announced their divorce amid rumours he is gay.

A source previously said: 'Joe has been respectfully turning up at NBC at times he knows Jessica won't be there, It's the only way that it could have worked, because Jessica is struggling to work with him around her.

'Jessica comes in, fulfils her work requirements and leaves, and then Joe comes in later to check in with producers and conduct any meetings that are needed.

'Jessica just doesn't want any awkward run-ins with him and doesn't feel comfortable with him being around her right now.

'She's still struggling to come to terms with Joe's coming out, leaving her mom and his gay affairs and doesn't want to work on re-building their relationship until she's good and ready - and that's not right now.

'At the moment, she hasn't quite forgiven him and is also considering new management when her deal with her dad expires.'

Joe - who denies he is gay - was sentenced to three years probation for driving under the influence (DUI) last month.

The showbiz patriarch - who also shares daughter Ashlee with his estranged wife Tina - pleaded no contest to one misdemeanour charge through his attorney and was also ordered to attend a three-month alcohol education class and pay a fine of $390 plus penalties.

A second charge was dismissed.