After months of speculation it has been officially announced that Swindon-born singer and actress Billie Piper is to play companion Rose Tyler in the new series of Doctor Who.

BBC Radio Swindon spoke to a Doctor Who expert for his opinion.

Since it was announced that Christopher Eccleston is to play the ninth incarnation of Doctor Who in the eagerly-anticipated new series, attention soon turned to who might win the role of his companion.

Anna Friel, Keeley Hawes and Billie Piper were just some of the high-profile names bandied around by the press to play the character of Rose Tyler.

Although Billie, 21, appeared to be top of the rumoured list, there was still some surprise in Doctor Who fan circles when it was confirmed she had won the role on Monday 24th May.

In a BBC press release, new series Executive Producer Julie Gardner said: "Billie is beautiful, funny and intelligent. We needed to find a unique, dynamic partner for Christopher Eccleston, and Billie fits the bill perfectly.

"She will make an extraordinary Rose Tyler. Doctor Who has his new assistant!"

Billie grew up in Swindon and went to Braden Forest School in Purton. Starting out as a pop singer, she first came to the public's attention in 1997 when her debut single 'Because We Want To' hit the number one spot in the UK singles charts.

She enjoyed a brief but successful pop career over the next few years and had two further No.1 hit singles.

Since then she has forged a career as an actress and won acclaim for her roles in the BBC1 productions Canterbury Tales: The Miller's Tale and Bella and the Boys.

She is currently starring in her debut movie The Calcium Kid opposite Orlando Bloom.

Before she begins work on the new 13 part series of Doctor Who she is off to Romania to film a new horror film Spirit Trap with Dougray Scott and Emilia Fox.

Billie said of landing one of the most coveted roles in British television: "Doctor Who is an iconic show and I am absolutely thrilled to be playing the part of Rose Tyler.

"I am also looking forward to working with Christopher Eccleston and writer Russell T Davies."

Executive producer/writer, Russell T Davies, said: "The Doctor's companion is one of the most important and cherished roles in the history of TV drama.

"I'm delighted that someone of Billie's talent is coming on board the Tardis, to travel through time and space."

On his Breakfast Show, BBC Radio Swindon's Peter Heaton-Jones recently chatted to The Doctor Who Appreciation Society's Antony Wainer about Billie landing the companion role in the new series.

Click below to listen to the interview in streaming Real Audio.

Click here to listen to the interview