Nick Speaks (according to EXTRA)

Nick Tells His Side of the Story
December 27, 2005

Nick Lachey is breaking news, telling his side of the story about his breakup from Jessica Simpson. In the new issue of Us Weekly, Nick’s camp reveals that during the marriage, Nick felt ignored by his famous wife.

"He has realized the relationship is over and it’s time to move on," said Us Weekly’s Katrina Szish. "She would never call him to check in. She would always go out with her friends and leave him alone. And if he did come along, she would ignore him all night long."

Still, Nick's friends and insiders reveal that Lachey did not want the split, and that, "Nick was willing to make it work until the end. He told Jessica, ‘I love you, but we have problems. Let’s work on them.’"

"He still thought they could work everything out," Szish added. "So he felt completely sucker punched."

"Extra" has also obtained details on the "Newlyweds" first Christmas apart. Jessica spent the holiday with her family, and Nick was with his in Los Angeles.

Us reports that Nick’s mother flew in from Cincinnati, and that Nick and Jessica did not contact each other. Nick certainly didn’t spend the holiday hiding. In fact, he played celebrity Santa.

New pictures obtained by "Extra" capture Nick and his pal Wilmer Valderrama visiting sick kids at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, just before Christmas. Sources inside the ward reveal it was an emotional day for the kids and their famous visitors.

Now, heading into 2006 alone, Nick is still living in the $3.5 million mansion he shared with Jessica on TV. He’s also got a new roommate: Jamie-Lynn Sigler’s estranged husband, A.J. Discala.

SOURCE: EXTRA