Star scoops TV trophy (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Star scoops TV trophy

9:27am Thursday 2nd November 2006 in Swindon By Joanne Moore

FAMILY, friends and former teachers of former Purton schoolgirl Billie Piper were this week celebrating her being named most popular actress in Tv's answer to the Oscars on Tuesday night.

The former Bradon Forest School pupil was given the accolade at the National TV awards.

Swindon-born Billie's acting career has taken off in the last couple of years.

As well performing an award-winning role in Doctor Who as the time traveller's sidekick Rose Tyler, she was seen on TV last November starring in an updated version of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.

Billie, 24, grew up in Purton where she was educated before winning a place at drama school in London. Her first roles were in television commercials and an episode of EastEnders.

She first came to prominence as a teenage pop singer. Her first single, Because We Want To, made her the youngest solo artist to debut at number one in the UK charts.

Four years ago she married media mogul Chris Evans but the marriage ended during filming of the first series of Doctor Who. Evans blamed Billie's heavy work schedule for the end of the relationship.

In January this year it was announced she was to star in an adaptation of Philip Pulman's Sally Lockhart stories.

At the time BBC drama boss Laura Mackie said: "Billie Piper is an extremely versatile actress whose talent has deservedly been recognised by critics and audiences alike.

"Following on from her success as the Doctor's fearless companion Rose Tyler in Doctor Who and the endearing Hero in Much Ado, Billie is the perfect choice for bringing to life this engaging and fearless heroine."

Doctor Who scooped three prizes at the award on Tuesday in a repeat of its success last year.

The BBC sci-fi drama won most popular drama, most popular actress for Billie and most popular actor for David Tennant, who plays the Time Lord.

The hat-trick of awards for Doctor Who was a sign the show has lost none of its popularity with David Tennant taking over the lead role.

Tennant's predecessor Christopher Eccleston took the best actor award in 2005.

"I think if my eight-year-old self could see me at the Royal Albert Hall winning a prize for playing the Doctor on telly, he would need a stiff shot of Irn-Bru," said Tennant after collecting his award from Dame Julie Andrews.

Billie's aunt Toni Rudd said she was thrilled Billie had won most popular actress for the second year in a row.

Mrs Rudd, 34, of Eldene, said she was incredibly proud of her 24-year-old niece.

She said: "We are all so proud of her, she has worked really hard for this.

"My daughter Shannon was over the moon when she heard. She really looks up to Billie, she completely idolises her."

It was a close contest with Billie competing against Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw in Coronation Street), Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater in EastEnders), Ursula Holden-Gill (Alice Dingle in Emmerdale) and Evangeline Lilly (Kate Austen in American drama Lost).

Billie quit Dr Who last November and has already landed roles in an ITV adaptation of Mansfield Park She has been replaced by Freema Agyeman, who will play sidekick Martha Jones in series three of the programme.

The awards were screened on ITV last night.

Earlier this week Mrs Rudd hit back at critics in the town who slammed her niece for not doing enough for fans in her hometown during a book signing on October 24.

"The people of Swindon should stick together," she said.

"We get enough knocks as it is without turning on our own.

"Billie is a busy girl and stayed at the signing an extra two hours as it was, but that still wasn't good enough for some people.

"She was heartbroken when she read some of the things that had been written."

Billie has agreed to return to Swindon to meet those who did not get the chance to see her first time round. Dates and a venue are yet to be confirmed.