Billie Piper says former classmate Amy Winehouse was bullied at school

Billie Piper has claimed her former classmate Amy Winehouse was “bullied” at school because she often “liked to push buttons”.

In a new interview, the popstar-turned-actress spoke about moving to London from Swindon aged 12 to attend the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School, where her peers included Winehouse.

Reflecting on her school years, the 41-year-old offered some insight into the distinctive personality of the Grammy winner and said she was “unlike any other girls” at the performing art school.

Speaking on the Table Manners podcast, she recalled: “Amy Winehouse, she was always cheeky. She was always like that, you know. She would do abstract stuff, and I really loved it.”

When asked if Winehouse could act, Piper replied: “Yeah, she could do everything. Super clever, super bright, [she was] unlike any other girl at that school.”

The I Hate Suzie actor then revealed that Winehouse's distinctiveness and differences from their peers made her school experience less than smooth.

“She got bullied quite a lot at school because she was doing her own thing, and she liked to push buttons, and do weird stuff,” the Scoop star continued.

“And I had a lot of space for that, but not many of the girls did. It wasn’t the easiest ride.”

Winehouse garnered widespread critical acclaim for her music, becoming the first British woman to win five Grammys in 2008.

However, she also faced extensive media scrutiny due to her struggles with substance abuse and addiction. Tragically, she passed away from alcohol poisoning in July 2011 at the age of 27.

Aside from Piper, Dua Lipa, Nicholas Hoult, Daniel Kaluuya, Ashley Walters and Keeley Hawes are some of the notable alumni of the esteemed theater school based in East London.