Three years after the breakdown of their marriage, Chris Evans and Billie Piper have been granted a "quickie" divorce by the High Court.

Sources close to the pair claim the Radio 2 DJ has instigated proceedings because he wants to marry his girlfriend of nine months, professional golfer Natasha Shishmanian.

Evans and Piper remain good friends, however, and it is understood that the 24-year-old actress will not request a single penny of his estimated £30million fortune.

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Billie and Chris before their friendly separation

"Chris and Billie's divorce has been a long time coming and it seemed initially that they were happy to let the matter drift," said a source close to Evans.

"But over the last few months, Chris and Natasha's relationship has really taken off - he's been telling people she may be The One."

The source added: "Throughout their relationship, Billie has been kept in the loop. She and Chris speak virtually every day and she couldn't be happier for him."

Evans named as the divorce applicant and Piper the respondent, but neither were present for the court hearing.

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Chris Evans and girlfriend Natasha Shishmanian

The divorce comes six years after the couple married in a whirlwind ceremony in Las Vegas for which they wore flips flops and sarongs.

They separated in 2004 but have remained close despite being linked to new partners. They even have homes yards apart in North London, prompting earlier speculation that they may get back together.

After meeting 27-year-old Miss Shishmanian at a celebrity golfing tournament last year, 41-year-old Evans's friendship with the one-time Dr Who star has remained strictly platonic.

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Billie with her boyfriend Lawrence Fox

Miss Shishmanian, a part-time model, announced their relationship in the magazine Golf Punk, in which she has a regular column.

Miss Piper, who split from student Amadu Sowe last year, has recently been dating fellow actor Laurence Fox, who she appeared alongside in her West End debut, Treats.

Evans let slip Billie and Laurence have moved into a new country pad together and that he has already been along to see how the pair are settling in.

He said: "Last night I went to see Bill's new house. She's made the break from the big smoke with Laurence of the Fox.

"They've bought, together, a fab and truly lovely cottage deep in West Sussex. It really is a wonderful place".

A source said: "Billie was keen to get out of the capital. She loves the idea of the country life, where she can dress as scruffily as she likes and there isn't a pub on every corner. She knows it will help her have a more wholesome lifestyle.

"Laurence is a country boy, with many of his family and friends living that way. Billie really fell for that way of life, and wanted a cosy cottage where she could keep chickens."

Billie declared last year that demanding any of his fortune would be "disgusting".