Billie Paul Piper (born September 22 1982, in Swindon, England, UK) is a British actress who started her career as a pop singer in her teens.

After being spotted in a television advert while still at stage school, she was offered a record deal at the age of just fifteen, and in 1998 became the youngest ever female solo artist to top the UK singles chart with "Because We Want To". Several other successful singles and two albums followed.

She switched back to her original ambition of acting in 2003 after the self-made decision to end her pop career. Still a high-profile figure, she quickly earned roles in the BBC Television series The Canterbury Tales (modern retellings of Chaucer's stories) and the one-off drama Bella and the Boys. Despite the negative reaction usually given to singers who attempt to act, Piper gained very positive reviews for these appearances, critics seemingly feeling that she was a far better actress than she was a singer.

In 2004 she appeared in the films The Calcium Kid, as the girlfriend of Orlando Bloom's character, and Things to do Before You're Thirty . In May 2004 it was announced she was to play the character Rose Tyler, companion to the Doctor in the 2005 series of Doctor Who. She has also recently finished filming a starring role in the horror movie Spirit Trap , also due for release in 2005. The BBC has announced that Piper will return for the 2006 series of Doctor Who. She is also due to star as Hero in a BBC adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing, updated for the modern day in a similar manner to the Canterbury Tales series in which she featured, with Hero now being a weather presenter in a television station.

Piper is married to businessman and former television presenter Chris Evans. Their 2001 marriage attracted much comment due to the sixteen-year age gap between the two. In October 2004, the two began a trial separation. In spring of 2005 it was confirmed that she and Evans will be divorcing.

Filmography

Television

• The Canterbury Tales: The Miller's Tale (BBC One, 2003)
• Bella and the Boys (BBC Two, 2004)
• Doctor Who (BBC One, 2005)
• Much Ado About Nothing (BBC One, forthcoming)

Film

• Evita (1996, uncredited bit-part)
• The Leading Man (1996, uncredited bit-part)
• The Calcium Kid (2004)
• Things to do Before You're Thirty (2005)
• Spirit Trap (forthcoming)

Discography

Albums

• Honey to the B (1998) UK #14
• Walk of Life (2000) UK #14

Singles

• "Because We Want To" (1998) #1 UK
• "Girlfriend" (1998) #1 UK
• "She Wants You" (1998) #3 UK
• "Honey to the Bee" (1999) #3 UK
• "Day & Night" (2000) #1 UK
• "Something Deep Inside" (2000) #4 UK
• "Walk of Life" (2000) #25 UK

External link