Billie returns home

7:53am Wednesday 25th October 2006

Doctor Who star Billie Piper returned to her hometown yesterday to sign copies of her new book Growing Pains at the Asda Wal-Mart in the Orbital Shopping Park.

Queues started forming three hours before the 5pm signing and stretched far out the door, as hundreds piled in for a glimpse of the 24-year-old.

Five-year-old Callum Drew was one of the luckiest on the night, managing to charm Billie into a kiss on the lips.

His dad Robert, 31, mum Sally, 26, and sister Chloe, seven, made the trip with him from Cheltenham.

"She was really friendly and I think the kids are a bit star struck," said Mrs Drew.

Nine-year-old Joshua Small was particularly taken by Billie, who was dressed smartly in a thin, grey sweater.

"She was good," he said. "I got my picture taken with her and she looked really nice."

Louina Sutherland, 17, of Old Town, said she is often mistaken for Billie, so her mum, Jacqueline, took her down to meet her doppelganger face-to-face.

"Lot's of people keep saying she looks like Billie," said Mrs Sutherland. "Although, I didn't like to mention it when we saw her."

Lee Rhead, of Meadowcroft, brought his five-year-old, Cameron, to the signing.

"She was really nice," said Mr Rhead. "Cameron enjoyed it and even got a kiss off her.

"We were told she wouldn't sign photos we brought in of her, but when we got up there she was more than happy to.

"It's nice to see her back in Swindon as well."

Genette Midwinter, 34, of Home Farm, Highworth, said: "I was always proud a Swindon girl had gone so far.

"It's nice to have someone from your hometown do so well and it's something for the kids to look up to."

Full story and lots of pictures in tomorrow's Gazette