Simpson has been a friend of the 42-year-old rock star for some months now and tweeted in September “My friend, Billy Corgan, has a pure and enlightening outlook on faith.”

Now, a 'source' tells E! News that Simpson has “fallen hard and is smitten” with Corgan and they are “officially dating”.

The source went on to say that the pairing is already attracting criticism, adding: “They think he’s too old for her. No one takes any of her boyfriends seriously any more because she has had so many. They’re sick of all of them being ‘the one.’ ”

In the not too distant future Corgan could well be brother-in-law with Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz who is married to Ashlee Simpson.

A scary thought.

(by Scott Colothan)