The end of the current season of Doctor Who will also see the end of Billie Piper's time as the Doctor's companion, the BBC have confirmed.
Piper, who has played the Doctor's assistant - Rose Tyler - for the last two seasons is leaving to pursue other roles, the first of which is an adaption of Philip Pullman's The Ruby in the Smoke.
Her departure will no doubt lead to months of speculation as to who will join David Tennant for the third season. Former EastEnders star Michelle Ryan has - amongst others - previously been rumoured to be joining the series, but nothing has been confirmed so far.
The BBC haven't confirmed whether Rose will be killed in the season finale, instead describing her exit as "stunning". Piper has previously been quoted as saying she'll always be grateful to Doctor Who, even going so far as to say she'd like to play the Doctor herself in the future.
It's fair to say that the fans will miss her. She's been received well by critics and fans alike and will perhaps be remembered as the most strong-willed of the Doctor's companions.
Piper's exit has been handled better than former Doctor Christopher Ecclestone's - who was misquoted by the BBC regarding his reasons for leaving - but it is still slightly embarrassing for them after Billie's previous statements regarding her appearance in the third season, and future with the show. It appears that, once again, they've not been capable of keeping the lid on things.
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Article comments
1 - Iloz Zoc
Nooooo! First Eccleston, now her!!! I can't believe it.
2 - JD
i heard she signed on for another season, according to her Wikipedia entry...it's possible that she became unhappy and found a way out of her contract, but i doubt it...i dunno though
3 - Matthew Milam
This has been talked about on OG for weeks, and not it appears it's true.
Now I'll have a reason to watch (but not review, since I was bad at that).
4 - Brent
She's lasted longer than most companions, although of course she was never the "stand and scream" type. I think that only Ian & Barbara, Sarah Jane, and maybe Tegan have been companions longer than Rose has.
5 - Ashleigh
She played the part well, she was almost the perfect 'modern' partner to the doctor.
Not really sure who could take the part on when she goes. It will definitely have to be someone that can spark off David Tennant in the same sort of fashion, or Tennant will just steal the screen.
6 - Brandon
I've not seen the entire second season, however, I must say that I don't think I much care for the show anymore. Chris Eccleston was the BEST Doctor to date and Rose Tyler (besides her physical attributes), was an excellent actress.
BBC should give RT Davies a better budget so he can tell the great stories with an equally great (and larger), stable cast.
SORRY TO OFFEND ANYONE OUT THERE.
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Charles Logan for President!
Save Farscape.
Remember Serenity Valley!
Long Live Robbery Homicide Division
Viva La Battlestar: Galactica (RE-IMAGINED, of course).
7 - Karen Richardson
Can I be the new companion for Doctor Who? I know I am being cheeky!
8 - Matthew Milam
A bigger budget doesn't mean a better story, in some cases it just means you have more money to play with. Whether you can tell a good story is the key.
9 - Nicole Dudley
Why Why Why???? Why Billie Piper the best ever Rose!! she is the best evr!!First my one true love christopher eclleston and now Billie piper my fave actress!!
please dont go billie!!
i love u!
nicki!
10 - XL
Now, it sounds like everyone is okay with the deal, for the most part - RTD, BBC, etc.
But I really want to know the why's of her leaving. Doctor Who is only a half season show, as far as we yanks are concerned, at least. A full season is at least 21 eps.
You can't tell me she didn't have time to work on other projects!
This was the first companion I've seen (growing up with the McCoy Doctor and his two companions, and catching up with the rest later) that was so blatantly integral to the show. Her mother, Mickey, contemporary London... SO MANY episodes revolve completely around Rose, that you could actually complain about, but I find, for the most part, that these have been the best Who eps I've ever seen.
If you wanted to expand beyond those limitations, Rose has to go. But that amounts to fixing what is NOT broken.
11 - Rosie
Boo hoo!!! Waaahhh!!!! Rose is leaving!!! I'm still not over Christopher Eccleston!!!
12 - Jeff
Rose is by far the best companion the Doctor has ever had. I just hope that the show will continue to be successful. She has been such an integral part of the show that I worry about the long term ramifications.
13 - jess
billie piper made the new doctor who better than ever. she wasn't there to just get into trouble and have to be rescued, she got in there and faught. there was so much chemistry between her and the doctor (paticuarlily david tennant). there is no way that anyone can ever replace her. she was unique!!
14 - Kimberly R.
First we lost chris, Now Billy? Well why watch anymore??
15 - josh
I think that Matt Smiths first outing as the doctor was a hit . I don't think he’ll replace tenant but i think he was quite impressive . Now on to the companion shes beautiful a great actress and over all i think she will go far. My personal opinion is that doctor who had become a little bit rubbish when Russel Davies was producing it (near the end of the tenth docs run only though) but i think it will be better than ever with Steven Moffat at the helm .