Image caption David Tennant and Billie Piper will reprise their roles as the Doctor and Rose in the show's 50th anniversary episode

David Tennant has picked up the accolade of the "nation's favourite Doctor" in a survey to mark 50 years of sci-fi drama Doctor Who.

The Scottish actor, who played the role from 2005-10, gained 56% of the RadioTimes.com vote, easily beating closest rival Matt Smith.

Tom Baker wound up in third spot, followed by Christopher Eccleston and Patrick Troughton.

Billie Piper, who played Rose, won a parallel vote for the best companion.

She captured 25% of the vote for her role, which saw Rose accompany both Tennant and Eccleston on their intergalactic travels.

She was followed by Sarah Jane Smith, who was portrayed by the late Elisabeth Sladen, while Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) - who also appeared alongside David Tennant - came third in the running.

TOP FIVE DOCTORS 1. David Tennant - 56.1% 2. Matt Smith - 15.9% 3. Tom Baker - 10% 4. Christopher Eccleston - 6.5% 5. Patrick Troughton (pictured) - 2.5% Source: RadioTimes.com

The latest companion, Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman, only managed ninth place, but finished ahead of Freema Agyeman's Martha Jones.

More than 20,000 readers of RadioTimes.com took part in the vote.

Both Tennant and Piper will reprise their roles in the 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who, The Day of the Doctor, which will be screened on 23 November.

Smith and Tennant will appear in the 75-minute show alongside John Hurt, introduced as 'The Doctor' at the end of the most recent episode.

RadioTimes.com editor Tim Glandfield said: "Not even parallel dimensions can keep the Doctor and Rose apart.

"It's clear from the results of our poll that they define a golden era of Doctor Who and helped introduce a whole new generation to the show - how fitting that they'll be reunited next week for the 50th anniversary special."

The next Doctor was unveiled in August as The Thick Of It actor Peter Capaldi.