Billie to wed on New Year's Eve... and have the reception at ex-husband Chris's pub

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Billie Piper is to marry her boyfriend Laurence Fox on New Year's Eve - and the reception will be held in a pub owned by her ex-husband Chris Evans.

After the church ceremony in Midhurst, West Sussex, the newlyweds and their guests will travel to the Lickfold Inn in the nearby village of Lickfold.

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Laurence Fox and Billie Piper: They will marry in their village church

Evans will then help them celebrate at the 15th century hostelry as the party goes on into 2008.

Miss Piper and Mr Fox live just a short walk from the church where they will marry - St Mary's - after buying a £750,000 cottage in Midhurst in the summer.

The Lickfold Inn: It is the third pub Chris Evans has recently bought

The 25-year-old Dr Who star met the 29-year-old actor - who is the son of movie star James Fox - earlier this year when they costarred in a play.

Miss Piper and 41-year-old Evans were divorced in June after five years of marriage, but remain good friends.

Shortly after their separation, the actress declared that she and the controversial multi-millionaire DJ would be "best mates for life".

In August, when Evans married his new love - professional golfer Natasha Shishmanian - and later held a reception in Portugal, Miss Piper and Mr Fox were among the guests.

And during much of this year the two couples have often made a foursome in the White Horse pub in Midhurst, enjoying burgers and beer.

Miss Piper and Mr Fox are said to have chosen St Mary's for their wedding after seeing a towering Christmas tree in the church grounds named the Tree of Hope.

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Happily married: Chris and his wife Natasha Shishmanian

They were also attracted by the spectacular views of the Sussex Downs and the Cowdray Ruins - a 16th century stately home which burned down in 1793 and has become the most recognised landmark in Midhurst.

The couple are thought to have been in talks with a celebrity magazine to cover the wedding.

Evans's Mulberry Group bought the Lickfold Inn following its closure-after accumulating losses, with a view to relaunching it in the New Year.

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Vice and easy: Billie in her starring role in The Secret Diary Of A Call Girl

It is the third pub the red-headed star has acquired recently.

He also bought and relaunched the Ram's Nest ten miles away in Chiddingfold, Surrey, as the Mulberry Bar and Grill.

And last month he acquired the Newbridge Inn at Tredunnock, Usk, Monmouthshire, for £1million after seeing it while playing golf in the Usk Valley.

If the Lickfold Inn does not manage to open in time for Miss Piper's wedding reception on New Year's Eve, the Mulberry will be used for the event instead.

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