Jessica Simpson to study religion

Jessica Simpson has revealed that she is considering going back to college to study religion.

The 28-year-old began singing as a child at her local church and left school aged 16 to tour the Christian music circuit before becoming a pop success.

She told America's Marie Claire that she was influenced by a documentary on the ideas presented in Dan Brown's book The Da Vinci Code.

"I've been contemplating taking a college course in religion. I love religion," she said.

"I remember whenever the book The Da Vinci Code came out, the Discovery Channel did this three-night piece on it that I TiVoed and then watched eight times."

In the same interview, Simpson admitted that she collects "lucky pennies" that she finds lying around and likes self-help books.

Simpson's sister Ashlee recently gave birth to a son, who the singer described as "beyond precious".