• Swindon & Wiltshire People
• Tuesday November 21 2023
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Swindon pop and TV star inspires new name for new recycling lorry

The 25-year career of Swindon-born pop and TV star Billie Piper is to be celebrated in the town’s fleet of recycling lorries.

Binnie Piper will join 17 other Swindon Borough Council recycling lorries whose names were suggested by members of the public, including Binderella, Binnie the Pooh, Isambard Bin-dom Brunel, and the almost inevitable Binny McBinface.

Another 90s Swindon entertainment legend, model turned TV presenter Melinda Messinger, also lends her name to a lorry – Melinda Messcollector.

Three hundred names were suggested by members of the public. The final names were chosen by leader of the council Jim Robbins, councillor Chris Watts, cabinet member for the environment and transport, and members of the waste and recycling project team.

Billie Piper landed a recording contract at the age of 15 and in 1998 became the youngest artist to debut at number one in the UK Singles Chart with Because We Want To.

In 2005 she was cast as Rose Tyler, the companion of Christopher Eccleston’s Doctor Who – the show was revived after a 16-year absence to great acclaim.