Denise van Outen attacks Billie Piper over Sylvia Young slur

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Van Outen said Piper's damning comments about Sylvia Young and her famous stage school in Marylebone, London, were "wrong and unfair".

In her recent autobiography Growing Pains, Piper, 25, claimed the school put pressure on her to be "lighter, smaller and thinner" and that many pupils suffered eating disorders that were ignored by staff.

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Supportive: Denise van Outen, pictured performing in Rent, enjoyed her time at the Sylvia Young Theatre School

Piper, 25, began her career as a teenage pop star before moving into acting. She is now best known as Rose Tyler from the BBC's Dr Who series.

She said in her book she began taking laxatives and went on starvation diets during her time at the Sylvia Young Theatre School.

However, van Outen, 33, who is currently performing in Rent Reloaded in the West End, said her Piper's comments were irresponsible as they could put people off acting.

Van Outen told The Stage newspaper: "I was a big Billie Piper fan, but in her book she was very negative about Sylvia and the school and I think that is wrong and unfair.

"If it was not for Sylvia, she would not be where she is. And she really wouldn't be where she is because she got all her breaks during her schooling years.

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Harsh words: Piper said staff ignored the fact pupils had eating disorders to look thin

"I think people should always remember that.

"I am not knocking Billie because I like her and I think she is a great actress, but by saying that, she is preventing other children and people going into the industry.

"She is giving it a negative spin. You think 'you are still in the business and enjoying it, so don't do that – don't put people off'."

Van Outen, who is the daughter of a security guard, was born and raised in Basildon, Essex, and rejected more of Piper's claims that only rich children attended the school.

She added that Sylvia Young had been very supportive of her career, even flying out to New York to watch her perform in Chicago in Broadway.

Sylvia Young opened the school in 1981 and was appointed OBE in 2005. She said Piper's comments were "poisonous".

Other prominent pupils include the Spice Girls' Emma Bunton and actress Samantha Janus.