A BIOGRAPHER is about to delve into the life of the nation's sweetheart Billie Piper.

Sean Smith, who has previously written about Britney Spears, Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue and Justin Timberlake, wants to find out why so many people have so much affection for the Swindon-born star.

He said what drove her chart-topping pop success, coupled with a soaring TV career as Dr Who's sidekick Rose Tyler, will make for an interesting read.

But this will not be a controversial book uncovering shocks and scandal.

Instead Mr Smith just wants to get closer to Billie's life to find out what makes the 23-year-old tick.

"She is an exciting and extremely popular person," he said.

"When I first thought about Billie all I could think of was a teenage girl bouncing around on stage singing Because We Want To.

"A lot of people thought she had her five minutes of fame and that was the last we would see of her.

"But how wrong this was.

"The success of Dr Who has been amazing. The fact that she won a National Television Award, which is voted by the public for her acting ability, speaks volumes about her.

"She really has become the nation's sweetheart."

He added: "I like to write about someone who has risen from the ashes, a phoenix-like story.

"I wrote about Robbie Williams, who has had phenomenal success since Take That and has gone on to be the country's favourite entertainer.

"I like stories where you can feel good about the person you are reading and where you can feel a sense of inspiration."

Mr Smith wants to start his book from the beginning in Swindon.

He wants to uncover Billie's roots, find out who she was friends with at school, at Bradon Forest in Purton, and where she used to go and have a good time.

But he is most interested in discovering how an 11-year-old from Swindon managed to have enough drive to up sticks and move on her own to London to pursue a showbiz career.

"Her story is very similar to Britney's," he said.

"She too was a child with a great ambition and moved to fulfil her dreams."

The book will start in Swindon but Mr Smith will also be turning the spotlight on London.

"I will look into the Chris Evans period and I have an open mind but I do think they had a bad press," he said.

The biographer said he would happily come back to Swindon to talk to people who knew Billie.

If you have any anecdotes or information, you can call Sean on 07790 549778 or email seansmith100@yahoo.co.uk