Piper, now 42, originally played companion Rose Tyler in 2005 alongside Christopher Eccleston’s Ninth Doctor. She went on to appear opposite David Tennant and was later revealed to be the mythical "Bad Wolf" - a mysterious, universe-shaping figure. Now, she’s taken the role full circle by stepping into the shoes of the Doctor herself.

Doctor Who fans across the world were gagged on Saturday night when Billie Piper made an unexpected return to the franchise. After weeks of speculation about whether Ncuti Gatwa’s time as The Doctor was coming to an end in the not-too-distant future,