WILTSHIRE'S Billie Piper could be the second star to leave the cast of recently-revived Dr Who, it has been reported.

This morning her London agent Michael Foster would not comment on reports in sci-fi magazine Dream-watch that Billie would quit the show after appearing in only a few of episodes of the next series.

But he was quoted in the magazine as saying she is not doing the full season.

Former Bradon Forest School pupil Billie, 22, is said to be going to give up her role as the Time Lord's assistant Rose Tyler halfway through the second series.

It is believed that her performance as Rose has caught the eye of Hollywood and American television producers.

A spokesperson for the BBC told the Evening Advertiser that Billie would be returning for the second series for which storylines are currently being developed.

Dr Who has been an instant ratings hit since it returned to our screens after a 16-year absence.

It has attracted audiences of more than 10 million viewers.

Christopher Eccleston, 41, announced in March that he would not be making a second series, and Casanova star David Tennant, 34, has been chosen to partner Billie for the next series.

The decision to quit came as a bitter blow for the BBC which spent millions bringing the show back after 16 years.

When Eccleston quit it appeared that he was reluctant to become typecast in the role, and rumours this time suggest Billie may have similar concerns.

Eccleston has since said the eight-month filming schedule was too demanding.

Speculation will now centre on who could replace her, with singer Rachel Stevens and EastEnders star Michelle Ryan, who plays Zoe Slater, already in the frame.

Other names being mentioned include Spooks star Keeley Hawes and Train-spotting's Kelly Macdonald.

In the first series' final episode next month, the Doctor saves Rose from death in a battle with the Daleks, leaving his own future uncertain.

David Andrew