Billie 'to quit Doctor Who too'
Billie Piper is likely to follow Christopher Eccleston by quitting Doctor Who, it has emerged.
Insiders say the 22-year-old will leave halfway through the next series of the BBC show.
Science fiction magazine Dreamwatch reported that Miss Piper has already made her decision to quit her role as the Timelord's sidekick, Rose Tyler.
The news is another blow to BBC bosses, who have now lost both the stars who made the return of the Doctor a Saturday night ratings winner. They enlisted Casanova star David Tennant to replace Eccleston, but now must also find a new assistant.
A BBC insider said: 'Billie is leaving. She will feature in some episodes of the second series. But her character Rose won't be the companion at the end of the series.'
Miss Piper's performances were initially treated with scepticism by Doctor Who fans, but recent episodes have won them over and she is thought to have attracted the attention of film and TV producers in the U.S.
Dreamwatch reported that she will appear in just three episodes of the new series, although the programme's producers are hoping she will stay for around seven shows.
Eccleston's decision not to return for a second series in the lead role infuriated BBC bosses, who had spent millions on merchandising featuring his image.
