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Billie Piper explains why she left Doctor Who after it made her uncomfortable: ‘I didn’t like the responsibility of being a role model’

Billie Piper, Rose Tyler, Doctor Who
Billie Piper looked back at her decision to leave Doctor Who (Picture: BBC/GETTY)

Billie Piper has explained why she first decided to leave Doctor Who, saying she was uncomfortable with the idea of ‘being a role model’.

The actress starred as Rose Tyler in the sci-fi series when it was rebooted between 2005 and 2006. She came back to the show in 2008, 2010 and 2013, but she ‘didn’t like the responsibility’ that came with the role. 

Speaking to Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, the singer and actress said she ‘didn’t know that it would be successful’.

‘It made me really famous again in that sort of mainstream fame way that I find really uncomfortable,’ she told Lauren.

Discussing why she left in 2006, Billie added: ‘I think that played into it but also I was just at the beginning of my acting career.

‘As much as I love that show, I love Rose Tyler, Russell T Davies and all the people that I continue to have a relationship with, I wanted to do different stuff. I didn’t like the responsibility of being a sort of role model.’

Undated BBC handout photo of David Tennant as Dr Who with assistant Rose Tyler, played by Billie Piper. Tennant has been voted the best ever Doctor Who. A poll of more than 50,000 people, which was carried out by RadioTimes.com, saw the Scottish actor finish ahead of his nearest challenger Jodie Whittaker by just 95 votes. PA Photo. Issue date: Monday September 21, 2020. See PA story SHOWBIZ Who. Photo credit should read: BBC/PA Wire For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
Billie starred as Rose Tyler alongside David Tennant (Picture: PA)

After becoming a successful pop artist in the late 90s as a teenager, Billie landed her biggest TV role in 2006 on the show, which she described as ‘great in many ways’.

‘I was doing what I felt I was born to do on some level. It was a very exciting and satisfying time because it was hard to get an acting job with my history as first, a pop star, and then this sort of burnt out child star which is how I think I was painted – certainly through the years I was with Chris [Evans],’ she said.

‘And actually I’ve had to do that until quite recently, to sort of shift people’s perception which is really annoying and completely unhelpful but anyway, we’re almost there now, 20 years later.’

Television Programme. 'Doctor Who'. Picture Shows:- BILLIE PIPER as Rose BBC ONE: Saturday May 27th, 2006 When the TARDIS arrives in 1953, The Doctor (David Tennant) and Rose (Billie Piper) are just in time to witness the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, as Great Britain huddles round its television sets to witness the great event. However, beneath the celebrations there are rumours of monsters on the streets, and the tormented Televisions salesman, Mr Magpie (Ron Cook) seems to be hiding a strange and alien secret... WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to Terms of Use of the BBC Digital Picture Service. In particular, this image may only be used during the publicity period for the purpose of publicisng 'Doctor Who' and provided the BBC is credited. Any use of this image on the internet or for any other purpose whatsoever, including advertising and other commercial uses, requires the prior written approval of the BBC.
Billie launched her acting career with her role as Rose Tyler (Picture: BBC)

After leaving Doctor Who, Billie went on to star in Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Penny Dreadful and Sky Atlantic’s I Hate Suzie.

Billie also spoke about her teenage years as a chart-topping singer as being ‘unbelievably unsafe’ and ‘lonely’.

The Doctor Who star was the youngest female artist to debut at the top of the singles chart back in 1998.

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