Billie Piper Tells Doctor Who Fans to ‘Chill Out’, Insists She’s Not the Next Doctor

Billie Piper has told Doctor Who fans to “chill out” and be patient over the show’s uncertain future, while insisting she is “not the next Doctor”.

Speaking at For the Love of Fantasy & Sci-Fi in London on Saturday, Piper addressed speculation surrounding her future in the series following her surprise appearance at the end of The Reality War.

Asked about the possibility of being the next Doctor, Piper appeared adamant.

“I am not the next Doctor. I am Rose Tyler in hiatus,” she said.

“Sorry, that’s a really cryptic answer, but because I’m not currently filming Doctor Who as the Doctor, I can’t lie and say otherwise.

“I’m sweating. I hate this.”

Piper then urged fans to be patient as Doctor Who faces an uncertain period following major changes behind the scenes.

“I think you’ve all got to be very patient,” she added. “Because it’ll be worth it when it counts.

“And I think that we need to celebrate the fact that the [revived] show has been around for a very long time, it’s massively successful and it’s impacting so many people’s lives positively.”

Addressing the difficulties surrounding the show more directly, Piper continued:

“It’s had a bit rough time lately and I think everyone just needs to chill out and wait for what comes from having space… and time.”

Doctor Who is currently awaiting its next chapter, with the BBC announcing in June that the series would be put out to competitive tender. Details of that tender have yet to be announced.

Mark Gatiss recently warned that the situation felt familiar, drawing comparisons with 1989, when Doctor Who was cancelled and assurances about its future ultimately failed to result in a new television series. Gatiss said he fears the current tender could similarly “quietly” come to nothing, although he believes Doctor Who will eventually return.