When it first aired on the BBC, the new and improved Doctor Who smashed ratings records and helped put Saturday nights back in BBC 1s favor. But when series star Christopher Eccleston announced that he would be departing from the series, the question became, "Would the show go on?"

The answer was, of course, yes, with BBC swiftly announcing the re-casting of the Doctor with Scottish Casanova star David Tennant for a longer second season and a Christmas special episode.

However, now that the dust is finally settling, it appears as if the Doctors companion Rose Tyler, played by Billie Piper, also will be departing the series. Former pop-star Piper, who made her acting debut in the series, is said to be appearing in at least three episodes of the second season.

"It has not been confirmed how many episodes she will be in," said a BBC spokesperson. "We are waiting to see the storylines and scripts."

An insider at the BBC has quoted the actress as giving the level of work as the reason for her departure.

Its a nine-month hard slog of filming, said the source. Chris and Billie were knackered. Billies really proved herself as an actress in Doctor Who, and shes been bombarded with offers of work both in England and in America.

Insiders claim Roses on-off boyfriend Mickey, played by Auf Wiedersehen Pet star Noel Clarke, will become Doctor Whos full-time companion. Filming of the new series, with David Tennant as the Doctor, starts in July.

The first season of the show, which revives the British phenomenon that started in the early 1960s before even "Star Trek," continues on British and Canadian television. There are no plans to air the series in the United States.