Chris Evans, Billie Piper divorce

Friday, June 01, 2007

Chris Evans and Billie Piper are finally getting divorced, three years after separating. The radio DJ has instigated the proceedings because he wants to marry his girlfriend of nine months, professional golfer Natasha Shishmanian. The couple will be granted their decree nisi by London's High Court, with Chris, 41, named as the applicant and singer-turned-actress Billie the respondent, today (31.05.07). Their decree absolute, the final document, can be applied for after a further six weeks and one day.

Billie, 24, and Chris got married in a "quickie" Las Vegas ceremony in 2001 wearing flip-flops and sarongs following a whirlwind romance.

Billie - who was just 18 when she tied the knot - insists she does not want any of the media mogul's estimated 30 million fortune. She previously said: "I'm not taking a penny from him. I think that would be disgusting." Billie and Chris - who met in 2000 when Billie was a guest on Chris' TV chat show 'TFI Friday' - separated in 2004 but remained good friends. Chris met Natasha, 27, at a celebrity gold tournament and friends say the resenter is calling her 'The One'.

Billie - who ended her romance with student Amadu Sowe last year - is currently dating actor Laurence Fox, 28, who she met while starring in the East End play 'Treats'.