Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert at The 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. Las Vegas, Nevada - 05.18.08

Simpson has hinted she's considering a permanent move to Nashville as she embarks on a career as a country singer - and Shelton admits he'd love for her to become a neighbour.

He says, "If I'm around Jessica Simpson, she might need some bodyguards to keep me away from her."

His comment stems from the fact Simpson employed bodyguards to look after her during a recent showcase at Nashville's Lime nightclub.

Shelton tells Life + Style magazine, "Nashville is probably not the type of town where you need bodyguards. It's a really friendly place."

Source: WENN