Is This For Real? Rose Returning To 'Who'?

Over the weekend, News of the World -- what is described as the Sunday equivalent of The Sun -- reported that Billie Piper will be back for the final three episodes of "Doctor Who's" fourth season.

"We are all very excited that Billie is on course to come back," a BBC insider reportedly told the tabloid. "We're very close to getting her to sign."

It wouldn't be too far-fetched to have a big name like that in the final three episodes, as "Doctor Who" already did that last year with John Barrowman, reprising his role as Capt. Jack, which is now featured in the "Doctor Who" spinoff "Torchwood."

Piper, however, has been quite busy since she left the show after the second season, with her character of Rose Tyler trapped in an alternate universe. She has appeared in two television productions, "The Ruby in the Smoke" and "Mansfield Park," and will be making appearances in a pair of television series, "Secret Diary of a Call Girl" and "The Shadow in the North."

Production for the fourth season is already underway, so if there are any plans to bring Piper aboard, they will have to do it quickly. The next season is expected to premiere early next year, with the annual Christmas episode -- this one with Kylie Minogue -- readied for Dec. 25.

Remember that this report is coming from a dubious source, and should be treated as any rumor ... and then some. And just last week, Piper denied to Contact Music that she was returning, citing it would be "very difficult" to take on Rose Tyler again at this point in her career.

"Doctor Who" is wrapping up its third season in the United States on the SciFi Channel.

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