Billie Piper and Laurence Fox have finalised their divorce, just weeks after announcing their split. The former pop singer was granted a decree nisi in a hearing lasting just 50 seconds after she cited the Lewis actor's "unreasonable behaviour".

Neither party were present at the Central Family Court in High Holborn, London on 12 May when her request was granted on the grounds that the marriage had "irretrievably broken down" .

Piper, 33 and Fox, 37, tied the knot in December 2007 after meeting in a stage production the previous year and have two sons together: Winston, aged seven, and four-year-old Eugene. But earlier this year they confirmed that they were going their separate ways after eight years of marriage.

A statement posted on Fox's official Facebook at the time read: "Laurence Fox and Billie Piper have separated. No third parties are involved. For the sake of our family we request and appeal for space and privacy at this time."

Shortly after news of their split broke, an insider told The Sun that Piper planned to remove the matching "Fox" finger tattoos the pair got on their honeymoon to celebrate their union. "Billie has talked about getting the tattoo removed recently. She hadn't told many people there were problems with her and Laurence, so many were surprised she'd want to laser it off," the source claimed.

"Now they've announced the split, it makes more sense. She's often had to cover it up with make- up for work anyway."

It is the second divorce for Piper, who is best known for her role as Rose Tyler, a companion to Dr Who from 2005 to 2006. She was previously married to DJ, television presenter and new Top Gear host Chris Evans, who is 16 years her senior. The couple tied the knot in a secret Las Vegas ceremony in 2001 after just six months of dating but it wasn't meant to be and they separated in 2004 and divorced in 2007. They have remained friends.

billie piper laurence fox split
Billie Piper and Laurence Fox been granted a divorce after eight years of marriage it has been confirmed Getty Images