Billie Piper back with Doctor Who

English actress Billie Piper is to reprise her role as Doctor Who's assistant Rose Tyler in three episodes of the cult drama, it emerged this week.

Piper starred as the inquisitive and funny sidekick when the show returned to TV screens in 2005, alongside Christopher Eccleston as the eponymous time-traveller.

However, her departure from the series last year meant that two new companions have since filled her shoes - Catherine Tate as Donna and Freema Agyeman as Martha - both helping out David Tennant's Doctor.

According to the BBC, Rose will return for a short period, which should delight fans of both Doctor Who and Piper, who has since gone on to star in the raunchy ITV series Secret Diary of a Call Girl.

She has also featured in period dramas such as The Ruby in the Smoke and Mansfield Park.

Meanwhile, Eccleston - who spent just one series as Doctor Who - recently starred as invisible man Claude in sci-fi hit show Heroes.

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