Joe Simpson, the father of Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, is recovering from surgery after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. The 58-year-old discovered he had the disease two months ago, and subsequently underwent successful surgery, his representative confirmed to People.
A source close to Joe, who is already back at work as a photographer, told Entertainment Tonight that the diagnosis was something of "a blessing in disguise".
Jessica Simpson pictured last year with parents Joe and Tina, who divorced in 2013
"It has opened his eyes to eating healthier and exercising," the insider revealed, adding that it has "brought Joe and his family together and reminded him that what matters most is family".
The source also said that Joe's two daughters, Jessica, 36, and 32-year-old Ashlee, were "devastated at the initial diagnosis", but have since rallied behind their father. "They are being positive, uplifting forces for him and are helping him get through this. With Joe's faith in God and his family's support, he knows he will come out of this strong."
Joe with his two daughters, Ashlee and Jessica
Even amid his recovery, Joe has been hard at work. He recently shot a campaign for Clinique, and is currently heading to Japan to shoot the cover of Nation-Alist magazine, and work on several other projects.
The news comes just a few days after Jessica celebrated the sixth anniversary of her engagement to husband Eric Johnson. American footballer Eric popped the question on 11 November 2010 after just six months of dating – and on Friday Jessica shared a photograph on Instagram showing a sweet card she had just received from her husband.
Jessica recently celebrated her engagement anniversary with husband Eric Johnson
"To Jess," it read. "Happy 11/11. Thanks for saying yes after only 6 months. It started all this. I love you, Eric."
The happy couple, who are parents to four-year-old daughter Maxwell Drew, and three-year-old son Ace Knute, tied the knot on 5 July 2014 at the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California.