Growing Pains, Piper's 2006 autobiography
Piper signed a six-figure contract with publishers Hodder and Stoughton to write her autobiography, Growing Pains, which was released in the autumn of 2006. Apparently (according to a Top Gear interview), Piper only released the autobiography due to an unauthorised biography coming out.
In recent publication, an excerpt of her autobiography has been printed. Piper divulges about her battle with anorexia that developed after a television presenter called her fat when she was a 16-year-old pop star. Piper began to use laxatives as well as starvation to drop weight. During a US promotional tour, she contemplated suicide as a result of low record sales and self doubt. She admits to managing five days without food during which time she existed on nothing more than Diet Coke and coffee. She also stated that her relationship with Evans made her ditch her starvation diet and gave her a new zest for life.[21] However, after her split with Evans, Piper returned to anorexia.[22] In the autobiography, Piper said that eating disorders were rife among the girls at her former school the Sylvia Young Theatre School. Young has since spoken out against Piper calling her claim "rubbish" and stating she feels "bewildered" by the allegation.[23]
Awards and nominations
Awards
1999 - Smash Hits Awards: Best Female
2005 - The National Television Awards: Most Popular Actress
2005 - BBC Face Of The Year
2005 - BBC Drama Awards: Best Actress
2006 - The South Bank Show Awards: The Times Breakthrough Award - Rising British Talent
2006 - TV Choice/TV Quick Awards: Best Actress
2006 - The National Television Awards: Most Popular Actress
2006 - BBC Drama Awards: Best Actress
2006 - Tric Awards: Best New Talent
2006 - GQ Magazine Awards: Woman of the Year
Nominations
2006 - Broadcasting Press Guild Awards: Best Actress
(role in Doctor Who & ShakespeaRe-Told: Much Ado About Nothing)
2006 - BAFTA Cymru Awards: Best Actress
