Piper added that Evans was fundamental to her early adulthood, and his guidance eventually encouraged her to abandon pop stardom in favour of acting.
Speaking to Annie MacManus on her Changes podcast, Piper expressed surprise that the pair split without any acrimony, as many had assumed the marriage would end in tears.
Piper’s marriage to Evans, when she was 19 and he was 34, drew headlines throughout the early 2000s, before they split in 2004 and officially divorced in 2007.
Rare Beasts, Piper’s debut as a director and screenwriter, will be released on 7 May.