The Notebook inspired Simpson-Lachey split

Movie romance The Notebook gave Jessica Simpson the inspiration she needed to split from Nick Lachey - because the 2004 film helped her realise she needed to "breathe."

Simpson tells America's Elle magazine she was watching the film, starring real-life lovers Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling, on a flight when it hit her it was time to end her marriage.

She says: "I just figured out the statement. It was about that moment of desperation. I needed to breathe."