Piper played the Time Lord's companion Rose Tyler in the hit sci-fi show from 2005 to 2006, and she returned to reprise her role in 2008, 2010, and 2013.

Each time her comeback was rumoured, Piper had to deny the speculation to avoid giving away the plot, and she has now confessed she loved keeping viewers in the dark.

Piper tells The Times Magazine, "Shameless. I mean, it was lying to people's faces daily and loving every minute of it."