Billie Piper has revealed she thinks of her marriage to Chris Evans as like going to "uni" as she "got completely hammered for three years".
The Everybody Hates Suzie actress, 38, tied the knot in Las Vegas with radio DJ Chris, 54, in 2001 when she was just 18 and he was in his thirties.
Billie described their union as "reckless" and "amazing" before they separated in 2004.
They divorced in 2007, but remained good friends.
Chatting with her former Doctor Who co-star on David Tennant Does A Podcast With..., mum-of-three Billie said she believed she needed that period in her life.
"I went and got completely hammered for three years with Chris Evans," she added.
"So much fun - just living very hard.
"But with a lot of love and a big dose of curiosity and just, yeah - amazing time.
"It's funny because everyone framed that period in my life as these sort of horribly debauched, irresponsible, me falling apart looking like s**t, putting on weight.
"That was really important to me, that period of my life. I needed that. Me not looking perfect every day in a tabloid was the best way for me to heal.
"Every time there would be a picture of me looking completely groomed and manicured within an inch of my life, I can tell you I was completely unhappy and starving and dark on the inside.
"And I haven't brushed my hair since!"
Billie recalls her whirlwind marriage to Chris with fondness.
She went on: "We really had a really amazing time together. I imagine it's what your uni years feel like - sort of reckless, but you're learning a lot.
"It was an incredible time and, not to undermine our relationship because we also had a very loving relationship.
"It wasn't just 'oh, we're going out and getting f**ked' - we had a very caring and loving relationship."
Billie got together with Lewis actor and wannabe political party leader Laurence Fox in 2006, the pair wed in 2007 and share two sons, Winston, 11, and Eugene, eight.
They went their separate ways in 2016, and Billie is now with former Tribes frontman Johnny Lloyd, with whom she shares daughter Tallulah, one.
