Today marks exactly twelve years since it was announced to the press that Billie Piper was going to be the new Doctor Who companion.

Piper was best known at the time as the late-’90s teen pop star behind the Number 1 hit songs ‘Because We Want To’ and ‘Girlfriend’.

Since leaving Doctor Who in 2006 she has gone on to establish herself as an acclaimed actress, starring in ITV2’s Secret Diary of a Call Girl, BBC One’s The Ruby in the Smoke and Sky Atlantic’s Penny Dreadful.

If you feel like getting all nostalgic, here’s the BBC’s original press release from 24 May 2004:

Billie Piper is confirmed to play Rose Tyler, companion to Doctor Who, it was announced today by Julie Gardner, Head of Drama, BBC Wales.

The former singer who made her acting debut last year in the critically-acclaimed BBC One drama serial Canterbury Tales: The Miller’s Tale, will star alongside Christopher Eccleston in the forthcoming 13-part drama series which returns to BBC One early next year.

Julie Gardner says: “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!”

“Piper, who also received critical-acclaim for her role in Bella and the Boys, a one-off drama for BBC Two, is currently starring opposite Hollywood actor Orlando Bloom in The Calcium Kid.

“Doctor Who is an iconic show and I am absolutely thrilled to be playing the part of Rose Tyler,” says Billie Piper.

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

Executive producer/writer, Russell T Davies, adds: “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.”

Filming in Cardiff later this year for transmission on BBC One, Doctor Who is written by Russell T Davies, Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, Paul Cornell and Robert Shearman.

> Buy the complete Season 1-4 box set on Amazon.

The new season of Doctor Who is expected to begin filming in mid-June.

> Here’s everything we know so far about Season 10.

Do you miss Rose? Let us know below…