I am BEYOND EXCITED that we are joined by my OG Idol, Billie Piper, who made the first album I ever bought - fun fact!

Believe it or not, Billie first burst into our lives 25 years ago - so this is technically the Silver Jubilee of Queen Billie, which should be a national holiday, right? As a 15 year old popstar, Billie became the youngest person ever to go straight to number one with the eternal bop, Because We Want To before going on to land two more number one singles with Girlfriend and Day & Night. How her hit, Honey 2 The Bee wasn’t ever a number one is still an injustice that haunts me until this day. But here we are…

Billie then turned to acting with the comeback of Doctor Who starring as the Doctor’s assistant, Rose Tyler opposite Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant and The Secret Diary of A Call Girl. Billie even continued to set records with her new career path by winning all six of the possible best stage actress awards, including an Olivier award, for her stage debut in Yerma.

Now Billie is back with the second season of the BAFTA nominated TV show, I Hate Suzie, which she co-created with Succession writer, Lucy Prebble. If you haven’t watched the first season of the show, it follows the former child star, Suzie Pickles as her life implodes when private images of her leak online. And let me tell you RIGHT NOW, the second season is just as good as the first with more twists and turns for our anti-hero, Suzie. I Hate Suzie Too is available on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW from 20 December.

Today Billie joins us to talk about being a horny dancer (same here!) - tis the season, after all - and how exploring anxiety and mental health on I Hate Suzie has impacted her own well being.

Billie also opens up about how seeing her 14 year old son grow up has made her reflect further on her own teenage stardom and the advice she wishes she could go back and give her popstar self. She also shares some great words about balance and pressure which I think we all need to hear and will relate to, and about finding a new level of confidence turning 40 this year.

Billie Piper is still THE coolest person on the planet in my mind, so I hope you love this chat just as much as me as it really shows just how this icon has managed to stay relevant for a quarter of a century across so many disciplines.

If you have missed any of the episodes of Reign Season six go check them out now - we’ve been joined by some truly inspiring people from Chloe Grace Moretz to Lena Dunham. I hope you keep on listening and finding the power to Reign in your own lives. If you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxx

P.S I am thrilled that this episode of the podcast is sponsored by Malfy Gin, a gin from Italy inspired by the glamour of the Amalfi Coast.

This Christmas, Malfy Gin has partnered with By Rotation, the UK’s largest fashion rental platform, to curate an edit of the most stylish partywear, for you to channel La Dolce Vita at any festive occasion.

To receive 15% off* your rental, just use the code ‘MALFY’ on the ‘La Dolce Vita Edit’ on the By Rotation app.

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Enjoy Malfy Responsibly bedrinkaware.co.uk

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