The Simple Life star Nicole Richie has denied the widely believed rumours that her split with former gal pal Paris Hilton was due to Nicole staging a viewing party for Paris’ infamous sex tape. Instead Nicole – who shot three series of The Simple Life TV show alongside Paris – insists they grew up and grew apart. She says, “Today, we’re no longer friends. There’s nothing that really happened, we’ve just grown apart.” Regarding the sex-tape party rumours, she claims, “I would never do that. I’m sure it stirs up controversy, which I’m sure that she (Paris) loves but I really have nothing bad to say.” [8 November 2005]