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Early 21st century. Rose Tyler is a fictional character in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. She was created by series producer Russell T Davies and portrayed by Billie Piper. With the revival of Doctor Who in 2005, Rose was introduced as a new travelling companion of the series protagonist, the Doctor, in his ninth and ...
- Overview
- Pop career
- Acting career
- Credits
- Personal life
- Filmography
- Discography
- Facts
- Footnotes
Billie Paul Piper (born Leian Paul Piper on 22 September 1982) is an English actress and singer. She began her career as a pop singer in her teens, but is now best known for her part as Rose Tyler, companion to the Doctor, in Doctor Who.
After studying at London-based Sylvia Young Theatre School, Billie Piper's first break in the entertainment world came as a teenager, when she was selected for a television commercial promoting the pop magazine Smash Hits. Her role was to run up to the camera, blow a bubble and shout "Pop!" Soon after, she was offered a record deal at the age of fifteen. In 1998 she became the youngest artist ever to debut at number one in the UK singles chart with "Because We Want To", released under the single name "Billie". Her follow-up single, "Girlfriend", also debuted at Number One and her first album, Honey to the B (released immediately afterwards) debuted at Number 14 in the UK album charts and was certified Platinum for album sales. She released two further singles off the album, "She Wants You" and "Honey to the Bee"; both songs debuted at Number 3.
Piper then took a year to record her second album. She decided to release further records under her full name, Billie Piper. She returned to the Singles Chart in May 2000 with a new, sexier sound. She hit the Number 1 spot with "Day & Night". She waited until the following September to release "Something Deep Inside". That reached Number 4 in the UK Singles Chart, but her success wasn't to continue. In October 2000, Piper released her second album, Walk of Life. Walk of Life reached the same chart position as her debut album (#14), but was only certified silver. The song "Walk of Life", the final single off this album, was released in December 2000 and reached Number 25 in the UK Singles Chart due to poor promotion. This proved to be Piper's last musical release, a low-key exit from the world of pop.
In 2003, Piper decided to end her pop career and return to her original ambition, acting. She took acting lessons while living in Los Angeles and, still a high-profile figure, 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 seemed to feel that she was a far better actress than a singer.
In 2004, she appeared in the films The Calcium Kid, as the romantic interest of Orlando Bloom's character, and Things to do Before You're Thirty. Shortly before starting work on Doctor Who she filmed a starring role in the horror movie Spirit Trap, released in the summer of 2005 to generally poor reviews.
In November 2005, she starred as Hero in a BBC adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing, updated in a manner similar to the Canterbury Tales series in which she featured, with Hero a weather presenter in a television station.
Appearances as Rose TylerAppearances as the MomentPiper was born in Swindon, Wiltshire, England to Paul and Mandy Piper. Her parents changed her given name from "Leanne" (originally Leiane) three weeks after registering her birth. Billie has one younger brother, Charlie, and two younger sisters, Harley and Ellie.
Piper married businessman, television presenter, and DJ Chris Evans in May 2001 in Las Vegas. Their 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 they would be divorcing. The two remained friends and in November 2005 Piper was a guest on the first episode of her ex-husband's show OFI Sunday.
Piper married actor Laurence Fox, son of James Fox, on 30 December 2007, at St Mary's Church in Easebourne. Her son, Winston James Fox, was born on 21 October 2008.
On 28 October 2011, Piper and her husband announced that she was 15 weeks pregnant with their second child. Piper gave birth to their second son, Eugene Pip Fox, on 5 April 2012.
Television
•The Canterbury Tales: The Miller's Tale (BBC One, 2003) - Alison Crosby •Bella and the Boys (BBC Two, 2004) - Bella •Doctor Who (BBC One, 2005–2006 and came back for 4th series broadcasting in 2008) - Rose Tyler •ShakespeaRe-Told: Much Ado About Nothing (BBC One, 2005) - Hero •The Friday Night Project (Channel 4, 2006) - Herself (guest presenter) •The Ruby in the Smoke (BBC One, 2006) - Sally Lockhart •The Secret Diary of a Call Girl (2007-2011) - Belle de Jour •The Shadow In The North (2007) - Sally Lockhart •Doctor Who (BBC One, 2013) - The Consciousness of the Moment/Rose Tyler
Film
•Evita (1996, uncredited bit-part) •The Leading Man (1996, uncredited bit-part) •The Calcium Kid (2004) - Angel •Things to do Before You're Thirty (2005) - Vicky •Spirit Trap (2005) - Jenny •Mansfield Park (2007) - Fanny Price
Singles
•"Because We Want To" (1998) #1 UK; #19 Australia •"Girlfriend" (1998) #1 UK; #35 Australia •"She Wants You" (1998) #3 UK; #9 US Hot Dance Music/Club Play •"Last Christmas" (1998) No chart positions •"Honey To The Bee" (1999) #3 UK; #6 Australia •"Thank ABBA For The Music" (with Steps, Tina Cousins, Cleopatra and B* Witched) (1999) #4 UK; #9 Australia •"Day & Night" (2000) #1 UK; #8 Australia •"Something Deep Inside" (2000) #4 UK, #26 Australia •"Walk of Life" (2000) #25 UK
Albums
•Honey to the B (1998) UK #14 •Walk of Life (2000) UK #14 •The Very Best Of Billie Piper (2005)
Billie Piper shares her birthday, 22 September, with former Doctor Who actor Frazer Hines, who played the Second Doctor's companion Jamie McCrimmon. Billie also exists in the DWU, when her and her birthday were mentioned in the audio story The Gathering.
Piper appeared in the BBC One sci-fi series Doctor Who as Rose Tyler, companion to the Doctor, as a regular between 2005 and 2006, and additionally in 2008, 2010, and 2013.
Jan 29, 2024 · Billie Piper appeared as Rose Tyler 35 times in Doctor Who, including specials and films. Her first appearance was in 2005's "Rose" and her final appearance was in the 2013 film The Day of the Doctor, though she did not portray Rose Tyler therein.
- Andrew Gladman
Sep 22, 2021 · Rose Tyler never screams, but Billie Piper plays her as the most terrified companion of all. She catches her breath when the Daleks draw near. She grows wide-eyed when the Slitheen slither out.
- Huw Fullerton
Billie Piper starred as Rose Tyler in Doctor Who. But would the star want a spin-off series? Plus details on what co-stars she misses working with.
Nov 15, 2013 · Billie Piper’s portrayal of the straight-talking, cockney rebel Rose Tyler henceforth inspired both fans and writers alike, who loved the character’s ability to travel the spectrum of space...
