Billie Piper Biography: 5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know

Quick Facts

From a very young age, Billie Piper had always known she was destined for stardom. The highly talented British pop singer and actress began her entertainment journey as a teen appearing in TV commercials of Smash Hits Magazine; this led to various acting roles both on film, TV and theatre plays.

At just 15, Billie released her first single titled Because We Want To which was number 1 in UK Singles Chart. She released another titled Girlfriend and it reached number 1 on the charts too making her the youngest artist to top the Singles UK Chart. Since then, she has done remarkably well and has created for herself a multi-faceted career.

Biography & Early Career

On the 22^nd of September 1982, the Pipers –Paul Victor Piper and Mandy Kane Kent– welcomed their first daughter, Billie Piper, in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. Bille had one younger brother – Charlie, and two younger sisters – Ellie and Harley. Growing up, she attended some of London’s finest schools including Sylvia Young Theatre School and Bradon Forest School. She was also opportune to appear in the morning kids show Scratchy & Co.

At the age of 15, Hugh Goldsmith, the MD of Virgin Records, signed her as a recording artist following which she released her first album Honey to the Bee in 1998. The album did so well that it reached number 14 in the UK Album Charts and number 3 in New Zealand. In the UK, the album sold more than 30 million copies, earning Billie Piper a Platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry and two from Recording Industry Association, New Zealand. In the summer of 2000, she returned to the scene with her second album Walk of Life.

Her transition from music to acting was smooth and started in 2003 when she appeared in The Canterbury Tales: The Miller’s Tale as Alison Crosby, The Calcium Kid, Things to do Before You’re Thirty and a TV show – Bella and the Boys where she played the lead character, Bella.

In December 2000, she started an affair with businessman and famous British radio DJ Chris Evans; Billie Piper was 18 years old and Chris was 34 at that time. Within three days of their relationship, Chris bought her a red Ferrari worth approximately 100,000 euro. They courted for six months before they got married on the 6^th of May, 2001 in Las Vegas but unfortunately, their marriage ended in May 2007.

It was announced in May 2004 that she would be playing Rose Tyler in the BBC resurrection series Doctor Who which had been off the air for 16 years. Her character, Rose, was the companion to the 9^th and 10^th incarnated Doctor Who, as portrayed by Christopher Eccleston and .

Bill Piper gained the trust and admiration of fans and filmmakers, leading to her receiving more high profile roles including Spirit Trap, Mansfield Park, The Ruby in The Smoke, The Shadow in the North, The Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Animals United, The Raven, A Passionate Woman, True Love and Playhouse Presents: Foxtrot. Billie also appeared in Penny Dreadful, Beast, Two for Joy, Collateral.

Here Are 5 Interesting Facts To Know About Billie Piper

1. It’s All In The Name

Billie was first named ‘Leian’ but her parents legally changed her name after six months of her birth.

2. Privileged Class

She was opportune to attend London’s Sylvia Young Theatre School alongside Amy Winehouse. This is the same school attended by Emma Bunton, Denise Van Outen and the Appleton sisters.

3. Stalker Incident

In 2001, Billie Piper testified against a lady named Juliette Peters who had not only been stalking her but also making threats against the singer and her family.

Juliette Peters was later convicted and sentenced to a psychiatric hospital.

4. The Year 2000

2000 was probably Billie’s worst year ever. Her second album was poorly received by her pop fans, her PR company left because of her connection with Chris Evans and her manager, Nicki Chapman cancelled their contract. Billie Piper provided more details of the harrowing year in her autobiography but thankfully, the actress survived this phase and her career is thriving again.

5. Finding Love Again

After divorcing her first husband Chris Evans, Billie Piper found love again in British actor Laurence Fox. Their private wedding ceremony held on the 31st of December, 2007 at the St. Mary’s Church in Easebourne, West Sussex. They are blessed with two sons – Winston James Fox who was born on the 21^st October 2008 and Eugene Pip Fox who was born on the 15^th of April 2012.

Sadly, in May 2016, Billie and husband, Laurence, got divorced. Shortly after, she started a relationship with musician Johnny Lloyd and in 2018, she gave birth to the couple’s first daughter.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.