Doctor Who star Billie Piper is reportedly set to reunite with her co-star David Tennant as she makes a surprise return to the show after Ncuti Gatwa’s shock exit.

The 42-year-old actress will be replacing the high-profile actor after he bowed out of the BBC drama in last week’s finale.

The announcement put an end to speculation that he would not return as the Doctor.

The BBC offered no explanation for this last minute change and merely blamed ‘unforeseen circumstances’.

Billie first starred as the companion to the ninth Doctor in 2005, playing Rose Tyler alongside Christopher Eccleston’s Time Lord.

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Doctor Who star Billie Piper is set to reunite with her co-star David Tennant as she makes a surprise return to the show after Ncuti Gatwa’s shock exit

The 42-year-old actress will be replacing the high-profile actor after he bowed out of the BBC drama in last week’s finale

She will now be the second woman to take on the role as the Time Lord after Jodie Whittaker portrayed the 13th doctor.

It was confirmed last Saturday when he surprisingly regenerated into at the end of the series finale.

A source told The Sun: ‘David and Billie were a hugely popular partnership and he brought in the golden age of Doctor Who.

‘With the anniversary of the reboot this year there have been some ideas floated about with the idea of maybe bringing David and Billie back together for one last hurrah.’

A statement issued by the BBC said: ‘Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend.’ 

The actor appeared to blame the physical and mental demands of the show for his exit in a new video following fan speculation he was axed from the show.

Ncuti explained: ‘It’s a role that demands a lot of you physically and emotionally and mentally. The actors playing the Doctor are only actors playing the Doctor. Unfortunately, we are mere mortals. 

‘This journey has been one that I will never forget, and a role that will be part of me forever. There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe.’ 

Ncuti Gatwa, 32, has shared the real reason that he left BBC’s Doctor Who in last night’s big finale

The BBC previously denied claims that Ncuti had been axed from his role just days ahead of the finale.

‘Whilst we never comment on the future of the Doctor, any suggestion that Ncuti Gatwa has been “axed” is pure fiction,’ a spokesperson for the BBC said.

The finale also saw Jodie Whittaker, the 13th doctor, make a guest appearance as Ncuti’s Doctor appeared to be travelling through alternate universes.

Doctor Who was watched by around 2.5milion last Saturday – around 2million fewer people than the numbers watching when Jodie Whittaker, the previous Time Lord, was on the show until 2022.

But this is still a tiny fraction of the sort of interest it used to attract. At its peak it was watched by around 13million on a Saturday night in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.