Hollywood Couple Poll

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey have been crowned among the stars most likely to take over Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's defunct role as Hollywood's golden couple.

Beloved couple, Pitt and Aniston stunned fans around the world when they announced their separation in January.

And US magazine editors are now scrambling to find the next couple to take over the role, with Simpson and Lachey sharing first place alongside Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner and Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake.

In the poll, conducted among American magazine editors by USA Today, celebrity couples were ranked on a scale of one to five, with Britney Spears and her husband Kevin Federline coming last.

The poll is as follows:

1. Nick Lachey + Jessica Simpson (4) = Ben Affleck + Jennifer Garner (4) = Cameron Diaz + Justin Timberlake (4) 2. Jennifer Lopez + Marc Anthony (3.3) 3. Demi Moore + Ashton Kutcher (3.2) 4. Beyonce Knowles + Jay-Z (2.8) = Penelope Cruz + Matthew Mcconaughey (2.8) 5. Britney Spears + Kevin Federline (1.8)