Singer Ashlee Simpson engaged

The pair have been dating since the autumn of 2006

Ashlee Simpson is engaged to boyfriend Pete Wentz, it has been announced.

The 23-year-old singer and actress has been dating the Fall Out Boy bassist, 28, since the autumn of 2006.

Ashlee is the younger sister of pop star Jessica Simpson. She told People magazine: "Yes, we are thrilled to share that we are happily engaged.

"We know there has been a lot of speculation recently about Pete and I and we wanted our fans to be the first to know because you guys are the best."

'Excited'

Ashlee's father Joe, who is also her manager, said he was "totally happy" and "so excited to have Pete as part of [our] family."

Ashlee's career was helped by sister Jessica, who starred in US reality show Newlyweds with husband Nick Lachey.

She subsequently had her own reality show and was voted the best new female artist by Billboard magazine in 2004.

She was nominated for a worst supporting actress Razzie Award for her role in Undiscovered in 2006.

Her new album Bittersweet World is due to be released on 22 April.