Doctor Who (series 1) months of speculation. In the April 2004 issue of "Doctor Who Magazine", Davies announced that Eccleston's Doctor would indeed be the Ninth Doctor, relegating Richard E. Grant's Shalka Doctor to non-official status. Russell T Davies revealed that Eccleston asked for the role in an e-mail. After the announcement that the show would be returning, Davies revealed that the new companion would "probably" be called Rose Tyler in an edition of "Doctor Who Magazine" published in November 2003. This name was confirmed in March 2004, and it was announced at the same time that former pop star Billie Piper was being
Rose (Doctor Who episode) new series is to be a success." He also felt that everything necessary for "Doctor Who" was present in "Rose". However, Stephen Brook of "The Guardian" said that it was "pitched at its youngest ever audience", and also felt that the episode had an "overdose on humour". Retrospective reviews have also been positive. Patrick Mulkern of "Radio Times" gave "Rose" four out of five stars in 2013, particularly praising Rose's fleshed-out life and how it welcomed in new viewers. While he noted "minor gripes" and felt the Autons' destruction was toned-down, he praised the direction and the performances and called