Billie could be joined by 90s stars in TV return

Unlike some actors who just seem to play the same role for whatever show they appear in, nobody could accuse Billie Piper of putting herself at risk of being typecast.

Following on from the star's last major appearance in the TV guides, in which she played a high-class prostitute, it has now been revealed that Ms Piper is to tackle the role of a struggling single mum in a new ITV drama.

Coming as the broadcaster has announced plans to focus its attention and money on prime-time TV, with a number of lesser-watched shows therefore set to face the axe over the next few weeks, an insider has explained that the show will follow the heroine as she goes in search of the father she has never known.

In an age-old 'rags-to-riches' twist, Piper's character locates her dad, only to find out he is a multi-millionaire though, like her, he is still struggling to find love.

"It's a classic odd couple story," the ITV source told the Sun.

"It has something of the 'two worlds collide' about it. Billie's character sees how the other half live and her old man comes to terms with life on the breadline."

While such sentimental dramas can often be hit and miss, with producers tempted to play it safe rather than push the boundaries, it seems that Piper at least is confident that her new show will be a success.

Just recently, she revealed that she planned to take a step back from acting until the right part came along in order to spend more time with her son Winston, who was born back in October.

Also rumoured to be set to make a return to the TV guides is 90s sitcom 'Birds of a Feather'.

According to new tabloid reports, all three of the original cast, namely Lesley Joseph, Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson, have been approached to film another series of the show, which follows the lives of two suburban sisters whose husbands are in jail and their promiscuous neighbour.

Quirke, who has won critical praise for a number of her more recent roles, has revealed that she would be willing to resume the role of Sharon Theodopolopodous, but only if the script is right.

"People remember Bird of a Feather so fondly because it didn't tail off at the end, the standard of the scripts didn't deteriorate," the actress told the Mirror.

"We'd be keen to maintain that standard. None of us would want to make a new series that was below standard. I'd rather stay at home doing the housework."