Billie Piper

Billie Piper (born Billie Paul Piper on September 22 1982, in Swindon, England, UK) is a British actress who started her career as a pop singer in her teens. Her parents registered her given name as Leanne for three weeks, but chang

Billie Piper (born Billie Paul Piper on September 22 1982, in Swindon, England, UK) is a British actress who started her career as a pop singer in her teens. Her parents registered her given name as Leanne for three weeks, but changed their minds. Billie Piper is the daughter of British actor Paul Piper.

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 artist ever to debut at number one in the UK singles chart with "Because We Want To". Her follow-up single "Girlfriend" also débuted at Number One, and several other successful singles and two albums followed. In 1999, Piper was nominated for two Brit Awards and was named Best Female Star at the Smash Hits Poll Winners' party, although at the latter ceremony she was reduced to tears after being viciously booed by jealous fans of Ritchie Neville, member of boyband 5ive, whom she was dating at the time.