Billie back at the top.

12 October 1998 (c) 1998 Century Newspapers, Ltd.

POP star Billie was celebrating with her family last night after becoming only the third act to debut at the top of the charts with their first two singles.

"I can't believe it's happened again," the 16-year-old singer said after getting the news of her second number one with the song Girlfriend.

The only other acts to have seen their first two singles go straight into the charts at number one have been Robson and Jerome and last week's number one act, B*Witched.

Billie Piper said from her home in Swindon: "I'm completely ecstatic. It's a dream come true.

"It's what I've always wanted. I'd love to thank all my fans and for the continual support all around."

Her first single Because We Want To was a number one hit in July, propelling her to fame at the age of just 15.

And the stage school-educated star, who was also the face of a promotion campaign for Smash Hits magazine last year, saw her second record Girlfriend follow it to the top.

Tomorrow her record company Virgin will be holding a private bash to celebrate the occasion at their London offices.

Although it is now relatively commonplace for bands to have a string of number ones, it has been fairly unusual for acts to do so well immediately.

It was not until 1994, when Danish star Whigfield hit number one with Saturday Night, that a pop act went to the top with no previous chart experience.

It was just two weeks ago that B*Witched became only the second act, after Robson and Jerome in 1995, to accomplish the feat of debuting at number one with their first two single releases.

Although the Spice Girls made it to number one with their first six singles the first, Wannabe, did not actually debut at the top.