Swindonian becomes new Doctor Who in dramatic series finale

Yahoo

2 days ago

Swindon-born Billie Piper has seemingly been confirmed as the next Doctor in the finale of the latest series of Doctor Who.
Swindon's very own Billie Piper had been odds-on favourite to replace the outgoing Ncuti Gatwa amidst rumours he would step away from the show at the end of this series.
His time as the fifteenth Doctor did indeed come to an end on Saturday night's episode with the series ending with his regeneration.
In the episode's final moments, Billie Piper's face appeared, she looked directly into the camera and said 'Oh, hello', before the final credits rolled.
🔥 SPOILERS! 🔥 Watch the moment we said goodbye to the Fifteenth Doctor and hello to... #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/QP0KWoj7vQ
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) May 31, 2025
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Billie has long been a fan favourite for Doctor Who followers thanks to her previous stint as Rose Tyler, when she played the Doctor's companion alongside both Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant 20 years ago.
She also returned for several guest star appearances in 2008 and featured in the show's 50th anniversary special in 2013.
Prior to the big season finale reveal, Billie teased her unveiling as the apparent new doctor with a post on her Instagram page, which said: "A rose is a rose is a rose."
Speculation had been mounting during the week beforehand, with bookmakers having Billie as the odds-on favourite to become the new Doctor and fansites also pegging the actress as the latest to take on the iconic character.
Billie now looks set to play the Doctor moving forward, becoming the first person ever to appear in the show as both a companion and as the Doctor.
Although fans of the show will be quick to point out that the show has previously always done a 'Introducing [Actor] as the doctor' announcement in the end credits when they regenerate, but that didn't happen this time, so perhaps there are classic Doctor Who shenanigans afoot.
Also, as things stand, a new season of Doctor Who has yet to be officially announced, plus it is uncertain whether or not the partnership with Disney will also continue past the end of this season.
Billie was born in Swindon in 1982 and attended Brandon Forest School in Purton before moving to London at the age of 12 to pursue a career on stage and screen.