SWINDON starlet Billie Piper could be storming her way back up to the top of the charts - all without singing a note.

And it is all thanks to an unlikely combination of Radio 1 breakfast presenter Chris Moyles and a change in the way the charts are counted to include downloads.

On Tuesday, Chris announced to his listeners that he was planning to conduct a test to see if he could manipulate the charts.

He played Billie's 1999 hit Honey To The Bee, which charted at number three, to see if hearing the old hit would encourage people to download it and get it into the charts.

And download sales have already picked up, with the song making it into the Top 75 midweek chart and also climbing into the iTunes Top 50.

A Radio 1 insider said: "People said it would mean theme tunes to films and old hits would get into the charts but I think Chris thought it would be interesting to see just how far it would go.

"He is very fond of Billie and has had her on the show a few times so I think that is probably why he chose her.

"He also said that he had the song in his head - and it is a catchy song."

But in spite of the popularity of the song, the 24-year-old is not expected to restart her pop career.

The former Bradon Forest School pupil has made two visits to her hometown in the past few months.

In October hundreds of people queued outside Asda Wal-Mart, at the Orbital Shopping Centre, to meet the star who was signing copies of her autobiography Growing Pains.

And because so many did not get the chance to see her, although they waited in the cold for hours, as promised she returned for another visit last month.

During her last visit the former Doctor Who star said: "Swindon is my home town and I always want to come back and meet everyone here."

Billie is currently preparing to make her West End debut in Christopher Hampton's comedy Treats.

The play, which opens at the Garrick Theatre on February 20, also stars Kris Marshall and Laurence Fox, with whom she is said to be in a relationship.

How the rules have changed

IN the past artists have needed a record deal, CDs on the shelves and videos on TV to help get them to the top of the charts.

But, thanks to the growth of the online music industry, from January 1 the rules have changed dramatically.

From January 1, album tracks and "golden oldies" as well as current hits are eligible for the singles chart, if they are available as a download.

In previous years, songs have only been eligible for the Official Singles Chart if a physical format of the song, such as a CD, is available.

Since the start of 2007, that requirement has been lifted and means that any currently available download is in with a chance of making the Top 40. Experts predicted it would mean old favourites making an unprecedented come-back, but it seems Billie may be one of the first to benefit.

At the same time, a relaxation of rules on CD singles is expected to herald the return of the EP - known as extended players in the days of vinyl.