Jessica Simpson lost Tony Romo due to Big Daddy

Last year, the now-single Jessica Simpson told reporters she had the same dreams as everyone else — to make records, have kids and ‘hopefully get married soon.’ But now Tony Romo is out of her life, that doesn’t look like a forthcoming event.

When it was mooted on Friday that Tony had dumped her the night before her birthday, no-one expected the news. But it seems their sudden break-up wasn’t so quick after all. “It was a long time coming,” a source told Fox. “Tony hasn’t really been into their relationship for a while, but he didn’t want to look like a jerk by ditching her without a good reason. And she’s trying to save face by saying it’s because of their ‘busy schedules’.”

Another well-placed informant suggests a big factor in their love dying out was the smothering presence of Jessica’s dad. Joe Simpson’s need to control every aspect of Jessica’s life was believed to have caused their first break-up just over a year ago. Joe agreed to back off if they got back together — but once the pair reconnected he behaved just the same.

“At one point Joe was even giving Tony football advice – which didn’t go down well,” says the insider. “Tony was a football superstar before he got mixed up in this, so this move will be probably be good for his career.”

And the heartache didn’t faze him for long — While Jess spent her 29th birthday at home with her folks, Tony was reported to be busting some moves at the 10,000 square-foot Hollywood hotspot ‘MyHouse’ on Hollywood Boulevard late Friday. He and his [mostly male] pals were chugging Grey Goose, and were hard at work on the dance floor until the club closed.

Reps for both Tony and Jessie had nothing to say.