Paris Hilton and Benji MaddenParis Hilton has seemingly been inspired by the happiness friend Nicole Richie has found with Joel Madden - and hooked up with his brother and Good Charlotte bandmate, Benji Maddem.

The pair are said to have hooked up at Villa in Los Angeles last week but took their relationship public at the weekend when the socialite accompanied Benji to a DJing gig in St Louis, Missouri. The couple then flew back to Los Angeles together and were snapped shopping together around Hollywood yesterday.

Sources close to the pair say they’ve been friends for a long time - through the Nicole/Joel link - but “they were always with other people and the timing was never right”.

However, after Benji split up from fiancée Sophie Monk earlier in the month, the path was clear for Paris to make her move.

A second source added: “It’s obviously very early days but Paris’ biological clock is starting to tick, and her publicity-seeking one is even louder. She’s seen how the tabloids have lapped up Nicole and Joel, and their daughter Harlow, and she wants a piece of the action. Imagine if they were in-laws, that would be major.”

In related news, Paris is reportedly in talks to make a new reality television show focusing on her attempts to find a new best buddy now that Nicole is knee-deep in nappies.

A source told Us Weekly: “The show is going to be about her searching for a new best friend.”

“Paris is tired of the haters and she’s looking for someone new. She’s looking for someone new and cool who she can trust.”

“[The new show is] going to be full of good chick drama and you will see a side of Paris not seen on Simple Life.”