Radio Times

I have to start by making a confession. I wasn't exactly chuffed when the news broke that Catherine Tate was to play the Doctor's new companion. Yes, I admit it, I joined countless other fans in a chorus of "What is Russell T Davies thinking?" I'd been unfortunate enough to catch a few minutes of Tate's comedy sketch show, and I couldn't see anything remotely funny about it. In Christmas special The Runaway Bride, I found her character, Donna Noble, brash, mouthy and annoying.

But as series four of Doctor Who progresses, I'm getting fat on humble pie. Donna is everything I hoped I'd get in Martha, but didn't.

First point in her favour - she's not saddled with a cringeworthy attraction to the Doctor. Tate registers just enough awareness of the Tenth Doctor's charms while reserving some comically over-the-top denials for when they're mistaken for a couple. Doth the lady protest too much? Perhaps, but it's presented as a tantalising possibility, not an in-your-face reality.

Some male viewers are peeved they've been deprived of "Tardis totty". Tate may not be posing for the lads' mags anytime soon, but she's an attractive gal. What these guys probably don't like is that Donna's her own woman. She's lived a bit. She's confident; as likely to enter a new situation with a healthy scepticism as with wide-eyed excitement. And she'll fight her corner - she's not afraid to tackle the Doctor, to challenge his actions or beliefs. You could argue he learns as much from her as she does from him.

But Donna's not only about creating conflict. She trusts the Doctor. She's caring, too. With the possible exception of Rose comforting a suicidal Dalek, has there been a more moving companion/alien interaction than Donna responding to the song of the captive Ood? And her scenes with Gramps (a spirited Bernard Cribbins) are suffused with genuine warmth. Tate can play emotional without coming across as weak - a challenge lesser actresses find insurmountable.

She's not just there for moments of high drama, though. The writers have taken full advantage of having a seasoned comic performer in their midst this series. In a frantic game of charades, as the Doctor desperately acted out all the items he needed to counteract some cyanide he'd been given, Tate's outlandish guesses ("Harvey Wallbanger!", "Camptown Races!") were the icing on David Tennant's frenetically baked cake. And who could forget the glorious moment when Donna herself was caught, mid-mime, by the disapproving Miss Foster (Sarah Lancashire)?

In fact, the only area in which you might consider Tate a failure as a companion is her (self-acknowledged) inability to run. But as someone who was always last to be picked for any sports team myself, this only endears her to me. She allows me to believe that even a slowcoach like me could be in with a chance of a life in the Tardis.

And if none of this has convinced you, I'll leave you with this observation: David Tennant is clearly having the time of his life playing off her. She's got the Doctor's seal of approval - and that's good enough for me.

Couldn't agree more

Donna was the one that got me hooked. One of my closest friends in the world compared our relationship to Donna and the Doctor's. I finally got curious and went to see if I could find an episode online to find out what he meant. I found the first episode I could with her in it, her appearance after Rose getting sealed off. Of course, she didn't appear until the very end of that episode, so I watched all of the episode and wound up detesting Rose by the end of it. I've tried to give her more chances, watched almost all of the episodes with her in them, and I just can't stand her. Martha I like, but not nearly as much as I love Donna. I love that Donna is genuinely frightened a lot of the time and she shows it. The fact that Rose was rarely if ever scared made me think that she was probably just really, really stupid. Martha could show fear, but it wasn't convincing. It was the typical fear that you always see on TV. I can't explain it, but in the Sontaran Stratagem, when Donna was on the phone with the Doctor and he was explaining to her what she would have to do, she seemed genuinely terrified, but she did it anyway. That's what a real companion should be like, to me. She wasn't just scared because she had to go out and face the scary alien men, she was scared because she knew that she was completely on her own and if she made one wrong move or anyone saw her, she was going to die.

Doctor-Donna was incredible! A bit over the top, but her brain was practically saturated with espresso.

As for the ring, I would like to believe that it means something, but it really seemed to me like it was just the lighting.

And another thing… If her mind was unable to handle the half-timelordness, shouldn't the Doctor-clone also die from too-much-brain?

I absolutely agree. I am American and not saddled with stereotypes of what the Doctor's companion ought to be like. I happened upon this series, with no prior knowledge, on an American network. I paused in my channel surfing at a riveting scene between the doctor and Donna and became intrigued, based not on the premise of the program (which I spent many weeks trying to figure out....the Tardis was innane and I kept wondering when I'd find out what type of doctor "the Doctor" was....), but instead on the dazzling acting performance of who I later learned was David Tenant and Catherine Tate. I have since seen all the episodes of the last three seasons, and am eagerly awaiting the debut of the specials on BBC America. While all the companions had their charm, the Donna Noble character is the most compelling. Contrary to some of the British blog and web site views expressed, I think Tate's range and subtlety as a performer is striking. The talk about her appearance disheartens me. She is lovely in her own way and certainly her age is more contemporary with the Doctor's than the former characters'. I think it helped that the writing on the 4th series was so superior (as a rule....though the finale was way too complex and over-the-top.) But, by far, my favorite companion is Donna. Ironic as it seems, I perceive her relationship with the Doctor (though no romantic or unrequited love match) to be the most shaded and complex, and mature. There's a real sense of comeradery and sharing between these two characters; an intimacy that was not appearant the child-like frolick exhibited between Rose and the Doctor in season 2 or the flirting, avoiding, dodging relationship between the Doctor and Martha in season 3. I just love the Donna Noble character: her realness and accessibility makes her even more likable to me. And all the outcry about her screaming on British media sites I cannot understand for the life of me.....the Doctor screams all the time, in every episode. The Christmas special a few years ago in which she guest starred was and still is my favorite. Catherine Tate communicate depth and compassion and self-deprecation into this role that makes Donna a moving and tender counterpoint to the Doctor's bravado. These qualities enable, in fact, the Doctor to reveal more of his own vulnerability.

As you Brits would say, I am simply "chuffed" (I assume this means very excited) to learn that she is reappearing in the send off for the remarkable talented and charming performer, Tenant. I was very sad to see how they disposed of the Donna character in the last season, though I found the lovely interweaving of the them of being remembered, but being unaware of it throughout the season to be particularly poignant in light of how the plot twists found resolution.

My only complaint? Not enough time exploring the relationship between Donna and the Doctor in season 4. Way too much Martha and Rose redux....ugh, can't we get over the Rose infatuation?

I Love Tate! She was everything I love about a companion and at the same time a one of a Kind! I Miss her Genious presence as well as her huge heart on the show. By far my Fav companion ever!

I loved cathrine tate as donna noble! to be honest i didn't think she would be that good but she turned out to be the best conpainion! Love her ..

donna is not just a companion, she's THE companion! I think she's mint!she's so funny, and I really think she makes doctor who likable.

I think Donna's great, and such a good match with Tennant's Doctor.

I LOVED her in 'Turn left' when she's told she will die, she believes that its a metaphore for her life in that universe ending, and so it does, but only her killing herself can put the time lines back as they should be.

Her performance was quite moving, hope & fear at the same time.

Well done Catherine, you rule & after all, Donna IS the most important woman in the universe.

i think donna's much better than any companion for the new series ( i didn't like the old series). anyway, some might said she's kinda mouthy and not attractive, but that's what the series really need. i mean, i'm tired watching love scene between doctor and rose. and also unrequited love by martha. at least doctor know that he's not that attractive after all. anyway, i really, really hope they'll bring her back. i don't understand much about the ring thing, but definitely it'll make most of his fan happy. how cool doctor who, since it's a scifi series, but you can still have a little laugh, especially with donna in the series.

catherine tate is just awful sack her now and get someone decent

Bring back Donna as David Tennant bows out of the show and plaese pick someone with the same quirkyness to replace him..Callum Blue from Secret Diary of a Call Girl would be ideal

oh er! where have I been to have missed this blog? I can only reiterate that which I sent in to the recent 'tenant' blog in which I pointed out that Donna could have pretended to have had her mind wiped. After all, she was as good as the Doctor by then and could have easily counteracted his actions, but not let on. Not bothered either way if she returns, but I have been thinking for some time and agree with Lee that the new regime ought to consider the possibility of using McCoy and/or McGann for a multi Doctor yarn. Not only would it also help to further cement the continuity from old to new series that we have only had with a diary in Human Nature and the Time Crash 'short' which, incidentally, I believe comes into the Fifth Doctors continuity just prior to the appearance of Mawdryn's 'blood red ship' in Mawdryn Undead, it would be an opportunity to clear up a few continuity anomalies and possibly give rise for a way in which a future Doctor is able to warn Eighth Doctor of Gallifreys impending doom in order that said future Doctor is able to save Gallifrey in .....er - the future, but it all hinges on the fact that the Doctor is not yet aware that he has the ability to regenerate beyond his thirteenth body.

Well I know what I'm talking about and have the outline in mind - do thems at the top want hear about it?

Oh my goodness. I can't believe how much everyone loves Donna. She annoys me to my very core lol. Seriously though, 75% of the time I just can't stand that woman. She's like the annoying side kick or little brother/sister that keeps making dumb mistakes and keeps making everything hard for the hero.

I was dreading Tate as the Doctor's sidekick, I couldn't think of anyone worse to play the role. And after watching her my worst fears have been realised: an annoying, two-dimensional character who I can't feel any empathy for. Needless to say I rarely watch it any more - the Doctor's lost one fan at least.

catherine tate was a really shock whhen she returned but i was really looking forward to what we would of seen if she did accept his offer in the Runaway Bride. I grew in love with her as she is so beautiful and is a really great character! i would really like donna to come back and remeber because she has had such a wonderful experience! it won't be the same without her and i might even stop watching!! Please bring her back, it's sci-fi anything can happen even if its ridiculous BRING HER BACK! Billie and Freema were in series 4 which was totally not fair cus it should be just about donna and the doctor so if rose can come back from a parallel world then SO CAN DONNA!!! there ive said it!:)

I cant dissagree with the haters out their. i watched her comedy sketch show and i find it amazing that you guys think that doing what she does would be easy at all. the sheer hide of your comments are incredible. besides it has been so refreshing to bring a bit more comedy back to dr who. it always had a bit of a streak . sarah jane being dumped in the wrong suburb was one of them. i am not saying the others are awfull, i liked each of them but i think for me donna brought something more to the show. yes of course she was written that way ya silly bunny its called acting. and no matter what you haters say she can act. and to the fellow who said it was getting campy with donna, i remind him to look at he rose incident with the queen,,,, we are not amused? antics. no Donna is and will always be one of my favourite companions. and i pray they bring her back her story is not ended yet it needs a better ending than that. and i have said it before i have said it again and again. the doctor can have more than one copmpanion at a time i think they should just bring a few more on, that was the fun of the old show all the mistakes and incidents of the companions getting into trouble. and then always being their whne the doctor needed them. the doctor donna needs to come back.

Okay when Tate first appeared in The Runnaway Bride I was shocked. This was because of the departure of Rose. I thought that Donna was okay in fairness but with Rose gone I did not take 100%. I sometimes question the fact that the public would have loved Donna if she had been the first companion in this new Doctor Who because there would not have been a character to over shadow her.

Then we recieved the rather immature moping and highly irrespectful Martha Jones whos love for the Doctor was only lust. It was quite boring and I would not have been surprised if that series went into liquidation (except for the two-parter of Human Nature and Moffats eppy of Blink - oh and The Master).

When it was announced that Donna Noble was to return I was like okay this should be interesting. This time there was no shock to get over because Martha was a terrible character so Donna should have more of an impact. I have to say after each episode I was more and more impressed. The writing of Donna was better. They didn't just use Tates comic side (btw I never liked her sketch show but I think she generally is a funny person) but they allowed her to explore different emotions. Tate also had a lot more time to do this with an entire series as the companion. What Tate/Donna did was mainly what Martha didn't do and in some respects what Rose did not do.

First of all Donna was not in love with the Doctor. Her love was entirely platonic thankfully. It was nice too see conflict and bantor instead of almost total agreement. It shows that Donna is only human and not afraid to speak her mind. A good representation of someone like myself and many others in the world. Another plus was that Donna showed a whole range of emotions; sadness; happiness; anger; crying; fear. She was not afraid to show what she was feeling at the time. Martha showed next to none of these and Rose rarley showed fear (or at least that is what I thought). In fact I found that in the final episodes I was more interested in what was going to happen to Donna and her family than I was to the Doctor/Rose relationship. What I got from Tate that I don't get from Agyeman and Piper was Tate is noticably the most experienced actor because she showed all the emotions a human being should show. That really shouldn't happen but it did.

The fourth series was very much written for Tennant and Tate. Donna was brilliant and became my favourite companion with Rose coming in at a very close second. Her story right at the end was extremely sad and it made me cry which is a mark of a fantastic performance and character because I don't cry much at TV or films.

I would love it if Donna returns for a special or perhaps a whole series.

The Doctor Donna... you know if Tennant ever really deos decide to go (and chances are he won't because he loves playing the doctor that much) I'd love to see him regenerate into her :) As long as she damps down the complete overexuberance in the final series 4 episode, I think she'd do fantastically.

Viva La Donna!

I agree with everyone who didn'y like her in The Runaway Bride. In that she was too much of a contrast to Rose, having just lost her (truth be told I was set against the character as soon as she interrupted the atmophere of Doctor's goodbye to Rose). In the x-mas special she was really annoying and I was hprrified to hear that she was returning full time. But I have never been so pleased to be proved wrong.

Catherine Tate has done a superb job as Donna, she evolved from the mouthy annoying Bride to the perfect companion, and she is my favourite companion by far, especially after the slightly disappointing Martha. She was funny and likeable, but when the time called for it, vulnerable and compassionate. There has scarcely been better chemistry between the Doctor and a companion.

I have transferred my alliegences from Rose to Donna! So when Billie finially returned in Turn Left, I was left slightly disappointed, since her character had changed so much, and Billie seemed to have problems getting back into character, esp. accent.

I Love Donna And I'am Gutted She Is No Longer In Doctor Who. I Think She Should Come Back As Donna Could have Had At Least Another Series Of Being The Doctor's Companion.Also Catherine Done A Wonderful Job Playing Her And She Reakky Showe She Was More Than Just A Comedian, Ahe Is A Fully- Fledge Actress BRING THE LOVELY DONNA BACK xxxxxx

I am still annoyed that her memory got wiped.Either bring her back or i will just stop watching the show. SHE IS BRILLIANT! What's with the twinkle in that ring of hers...? Hmm! :)

Please bring Donna back as the regular companion! Maybe she really is a Time Lord now, wouldn't that be interesting. Best companion of Dr Who, they'd be crazy not to bring her back. I think it was kind of left so they can if they want.

The best companion yet - and I mean of old or new DW. Criticisms that 'I keep expecting her to slip into one of her comedy characters' are now boring, tired and frankly reveal more of the posters ignorance and prejudice than a reflection of Tate's superlative performance. Bring her back for Series 5!

I would hope that the BBC will see all these comments, (this being the RT and all!) and make sure they get Donna back, and with all her memories restored. Come on, this 'is' Doctor Who after all! They can make 'anything' happen! Maybe she could start to remember and it makes her feel all hot, with a fever or something, so the Dr comes back and realises there is something that can be done so that Donna can still remember everything with no ill effects.

Another suggestion I would like to see, not only get Donna back, but some stories with former Doctors in too, Peter Davison did it in a short special, but it had to be explained why he looked older now, so let's have Sylvester McCoy back, he still could play the Doctor looking more or less the same, as Jon Pertwee did in The Five Doctors, he had hardly aged at all, and neither has Sylvester from what I've seen of recent images of him, and, more to the point, let's have a three or four part story with Paul McGann in as the 8th Doctor! He still looks so much the part, and he was a brilliant Doctor. We were sadly deprived of seeing the series that was promised to us, with him in, and only have the one story, I know there are the audio adventures, but it's not the same, we want to see him! He looked so good in the part. We've had multiple Doctor stories before with the Doctor meeting himself, so it would be only right, and an ideal opportunity to get Paul McGann back again. It would make up in a small way for the lack of the series with him that we were so much looking forward to but never got!

So come on dear old BBC! Give us all a treat and give us a few stories featuring Paul McGann, maybe another three Doctor story with the 7th, 8th, and 10th Doctor. Or maybe Chris Eccleston could be tempted back to do a four Doctor story featuring the last four Doctors, but mainly Paul Mcgann because he is the one we were deprived of the most and so to see some visual stories with his Doctor in would be wonderful.

I think Tate was brill as the great Donna Noble was is my most liked companion she's her own woman and smart and quite good looking ((even thou im gay anyway)) i was in tears watching her memories being taken from her and when she walked in the living room and did'nt know the docter really heart breaking i want to see her back and really hope she returns to dr who. ((also i like jackie just random thought i should say that u know get it out there))

hey i think she will be back with all the most pranty person in the wold she will be back

donna is a good lady watch Doctor Who: Turn Left - Part 1 on youtube time 4.00 when the lady holds i love donna

I loved Donna from the beginning, and i was so excited to get her back. Then they go and take her memories away, changing her back into the unlikable character she originally was, while yes at the start of runaway bride i was a little worried that the episode was going to be Donna yelling all the time.

Yet once the Doctor landed the TARDIS and Donna was freaked out by the fact that it was bigger on the inside than the outside Donna turned into a real character someone who put up a facade when a situation got rough. Donna has learned to stand on her own two feet because her mother is unsupportive and her grandfather doesn't always know how to help, so she acts harsh to survive and it works for her, however after spending time with the Doctor she softens which makes her even more likable and I'm so sad to see her go. I hope Donna Noble and Catherine Tate come back.

Catherine Tate gave us such great emotional impact to the role of Donna Noble that I consider her to be the finest companion ever. Catherine is a great actress and comedienne and as such should come back to Season five of Doctor Who. The Doctor gets through a lot of companions already and I really would a liked Catherine to stay so PLEASE get her back.

Hear hear! Everyone I speak to has been happily surprised by the wonderful Donna Noble, and I miss her already!

I agree - I loved Rose but now I much prefer Donna. I'm gutted her character has left the series. Please bring her back.

Totally disagree, thank goodness she's gone - too mouthy.

I think they showed the Doctor having to rely on his companions more to show that he is not necessarily above them in terms of needing someone sometimes to get him out of a hole and to show that sometimes just plain old common sense is needed. Patrick Troughton as the Dr often needed Jamie or Zoe to get hin out of a scrape, or even come along and rescue him, so saving his life sometimes, so the Dr needing his companions is nothing new. I have most of the DVDs of the classic series and the Dr often has to rely on his companions. I think also, today they have to try and be politcially correct and have someone that the British people can more readily identify with, then when that character shows a 'good' side, the public may be more ready to be sympathetic and take notice and maybe be influenced into better behaviour themselves, something that wouldn't happen if the companion was very 'posh' and maybe appeared standoffish, then the public could feel alienated by them and even put off and think that they seemed patronising, whereas someone 'normal' in a brash way, later softening and showing 'good' qualities would be better suited to influence people in a good way.

Rose came from a council house but was shown to be loyal and trustworthy, Martha was meant to be middle class I think, but was just drippy and annoying and seemed incapable of showing anything much in the way of emotion and had to rely on eye-rolling to display facial expression, Donna is the most real and most likable character we have had yet, and her softer, sad, side was shown quite a lot in this series, and showed her to be a well-rounded personality, as well as witty and entertaining, and very pretty too. She definitely needs more than just the one series, and her and the Doctor together were such a winning forumula, I think the BBC would be very foolish not to bring her back.

I'm a little surprised by all of this. I'll admit that Doctor Who isn't often a topic of discussion for me, but whenever it has come up in conversation, there always seems to be one unifying opinion - Donna Noble is dreadful. She epitomises all that seems wrong with current culture - she's loud, obnoxious, unpleasant, belligerent, too quick to take offence, yet perfectly happy to cause offence herself. She seems like she'd be right at home on Big Brother, with all the rest of society's detritus.

Her relationship with the Doctor is also rather odd. Thankfully we've avoided the pathetic lovelorn mooning that we had with Rose and Martha, but really, the Doctor is supposed to be 900 years old, from one of the most brilliant and intelligent species in the galaxy, and yet it seems that Donna is far wiser than he is, and that he can't make it through an episode without her help and advice. Mind you, that's been a theme since the series was resurrected by Russell Davies - the Doctor has been reduced to the level of a human who can travel through time and space. It's very rare that we get any sense that the Doctor is alien to us, and I think most of that is down to the over-emphasis on the companions. That seems to have reached a peak with Donna; if we go any further down this road, they'll probably do away with the Doctor altogether and just have a series of London families travelling the universe.

Catherine Tate was great as Donna and i think she will be back because when the doctor was surrounded by those rhino police officers in the second last episode someone came up to Donna when she was sitting on the stairs and said 'you have something on your back' this was after the episode where we seen that creature who had attached itself to Donna and took her into her dreams fall off her. They never explained how she could still have something on her back if it had fallen off and so I think she'll be back with an explination. Come back Catherine we all love you.

No, I'm not really understanding why people disliked her at the start. She wasn't really "annoying" even in the slightest, and the brashness and mouthiness just made her British.

She's really pretty too. (Sorry, but it does count). Rose was alright but Martha didn't appeal at all, but Donna is the prettiest one yet, as well as being witty and bright and entertaining, Rose wasn't exactly entertaining, well, not much, and Martha was just dull and boring, but Donna is just what the show needed, especially after the dreary third season. I heard that David is leaving too, at least according to Charlotte Church on her show last night with Catherine Tate, I hope that's not true. I'm sure they must find a way to keep them both in it, there is so much potential there, if only they get the right script writers now that Russell T Davies has left.

I love Catherine tate, i think that she has to be the best assistant on Doctor Who and i think that they shouldeht have let her leave so soon.

I love her. I think she is the best companion ever! I liked Rose, but I think we've seen enough of her now, and I never took to Martha, all that gooey-eyed nonsense was so annoying and I didn't appreciate her being back in the series, though it was great to see Sarah Jane again. Donna is the best ever! I only hope they find a way to bring her back as the Doctor's permanent companion and not keep bringing back Rose and Martha, we don't need them anymore, but Sarah Jane putting in an appearance sometimes would always be welcome.

I was ambivalent about how the writers could soften Donna Noble's character if she was going to be in a full season. To my surpise, the writing combined with the acting of CT turned out to be absolute magic for me! I enjoy the true human side of Donna. Her character is an adult who is excited about flying through the universe and time, but she is also aware of how her and the doctors actions can affect others. Bravo!

I COMPLETELY agree. Donna's been great this series. And when Rose came back, I awwed for a while but then thought 'right. back to donna please...' I prefer her to Rose! Tate is a fantastic actress who really should be in more things. Her performances are always engrossing. When she is meant to be sad, you believe it etc etc. Just great.

I think Donna is by far the best companion they could of found for the 'space man'. It's a relief to have a companion who isn't lusting after him and someone who tell's him to 'hush up' when she feels she must.

Lets hope she's still here after this evening

donna is a timelord but doesn't know it. she is a sleeper

She's brilliant. I agree with everything said, but I could imagine her being an excellent companion from the word go. With all that drama, we desparately needed the comedy.. and when CT sassiness came though in some scenes, well it was gloriously funny. I certainly hope they don't 'kill her off'.. not now when she is finally beginning to believe in herself.

Never mind Catherine Tate! He who has shared my sofa for 3 decades was drooling over Sarah Jane like a soppy 16 year old last Saturday! Do men ever grow up?

I've only seen a couple of her sketches and think that Catherine is more suited to a proper show like Dr Who. She shows much more apptitued for comedic drama rather than just drama. She's done incredibly well in this show and I've been more endeared to Donna than any other companion. Because shes's actually part of the team. All other companions have just stood back and marvelled at the Doctor's reasoning on things but this season the Doctor has been shown complimenting her on her reasoning, learning from it and respecting the ideas that she has. Even last night she gives him the answers to two questions at the Shadow Proclamation and he takes them on board as correct both times. I think this season has shown more of a closeness bewteen Doctor and Companion than any other for a very long time. I only hope they don't kill her off and that they do another season together as I think the acting dynamic between Catherine and David is just starting to really take off.

I can't agree with you more. I too was 'worried' to say the least when she was announced as a companion, but my fears were so unfounded. In away she kind of reminds me of Sarah Jane Smith... if my memory isn't playing tricks on me.

Still not sure about her sketch shows though.

What a RELIEF not to have a soppy, melodramatic love story between the Doctor and his companion. It's bad enough that spit flies from the Doctor's mouth at the climax of most week's episode without heaping all that star crossed lovers pap we had to endure with Rose. Don't get me wrong, I like the new Doctor Who but a) he's a bit preachy and b) I get REALLY bored with teen romance when he's supposed to be thousands of years old.

It's great to have a companion who's funny and sparky and tones all the teen melodrama down a bit.

I'm not so sure about Catherine Tate in this role.Certainly a different character type to those we've seen before but not convinced about the character longer term (if she survives!)

Couldn't agree more. Whilst I've liked all the companions so far, I have to say that the Doctor and Donna are my favourite pairing. Tennant and Tate play off each other amazingly well.

And I also have to confess that I didn't think I'd be saying something like that when I first heard about Tate being the full-time companion. God bless Donna Noble!

Stan said: "Totally disagree. She's not attractive" Gosh.... aren't we shallow?

I actually really like her, to my surprise. I don't think people give her enough credit because shes a comedian. As a person and companion she is more realistic in many ways. Don't get me wrong i love Rose and Martha but they are a bit perfect. Donna has lived a bit, and i think Catherine and David have a good laugh on set and i will be sad to see her go.

Catherine Tate is AMAZING as Donna!!!! She has to be one of the best assistants ever! You can feel a real connection between her and the doctor.

Yes.

She is what Martha isn't. I totally agree.

And i'd say that Donna, because she is not attracted to the doctor (we see this in the library episode when she falls in love with a man) is like a big sister to the doctor.

When in the first christmas episode where we see her trying desperately to stop the doctor from killing the spider things (i cant remember) she puts a cap on his violent side.

She need him as much as he need her.

Even he needs her more so...

I can't tell the difference between Donna Noble and a large number of C.T's characters in her great comedy series. Sooner or later, she will say to the Doctor "do I look bovvered?" or more likely, "how very dare you!" The choice of Catherine Tate seems very indulgent on the part of Russell T and I don't believe series 5 could get any camper.

I was never a fan of Catherine Tate's "comedy" show, but she has totally won me over as Donna. She's a breath of fresh air in not being in luuuurve with the Doctor and giving as good as she gets.

But what makes her the ideal companion for me is that I can completely imagine the pair of them hiking round the universe in the Tardis and comparing their favourite scenes from "The West Wing". Bradley Whitford fangirls, the pair of them. And I love them for it :-)

catherine tate is a very talented comedienne,but l can't relax watching her. expecting her at any minute to change character.however for the perfect Dr Who companion it has to be Katy Manning. Sexy and sassy. That was mid 1970's and she played havoc with this boy's hormones.

I never had any doubts about Catherine Tate being the new Dr Who companion. She was brilliant in The Runaway Bride. Maybe because I live in Austria I haven't had the baggage of her comedy show and there are always ways of getting the new series - even if its buying the dvds from amazon. I have always been a fan of Dr Who and I think the Tate - Tennant pairing was genius. Shame she is going....

I was surprised when Donna was selected as the Doctor's next companion. What i didn't realise was that her character would have evolved so much since the Christmas special. I love the interplay between her and David Tennant. She is a fabulous actress and Donna is a fabulous companion. She isn't infatuated by the Doctor, she's not afraid to challenge him, she doesn't scream at the first whiff of danger and she pefectly balances sensitivity with the old feisty Donna. Go girl! I love her!

I was never a doubter. Although I love all of New Who's companions, Donna is the first not to be weighed down by any baggage (no intrusive family and no feelings for the Doctor) and Catherine Tate is ... perhaps ... the first to be equally at home with high drama and laugh-out-loud comedy. It's a shame Donna's departure is imminent -it's gonna be hard for the production team to find a replacement with her range and calibre. Looking forward to her interaction with other members of the Doctor's "secret army" in her remaining episodes.

I love Donna Noble. I think she is a beautiy. I loved Martha and Rose as well but Donna is the best. What I don't want is to see Donna go and Rose return, which wont happen because of Diary's of a call girl. We need more cool BBC shows in the USA. Also I like 'The Cathrine Tate Show'.

Doctor Who (Best show ever!!!)

Totally disagree. She's not attractive and she's only being written the way she is so we shed a tear when she dies: no I'll be cheering!!

I don't agree. Her character at times can be annoying and mouthy. Rose is much better. Catherine Tate also slips back into the tone of her character from her Comedy series, which is crap.

Couldn't possibly have put it better! I join her on the not running and she doesn't impose on the Doctor's feelings for Rose, but she still fulfills the role of companion better than many (and most) out there! She does have a certain... bluntness at times when she truly feels about something and will defend it against anything, but that's Donna! Good for her!

She's made me cry more than any other companion too. But it's empathy tears. Those are some of my best loved scenes!

I agree that I had my reservations about Donna as the companion as well (oh all right, I was flat out against it!) but she has really come into her own now, and has grown on me! Of course I will always prefer Rose to her but I now love Donna in her own right, not least because she is not in love or infatuated with the Doctor (David Tennant). That makes one of us I suppose! I'm really looking forward to the rest of Donna's story - apparently all is revealed next week!

I agree. I was sceptical at the start, but Tate has begun to grow on me. The writers for this series have allowed the character of Donna Noble to fill out steadily, and it's obvious the Doctor is also relishing his companion's sassiness. None of the usual screaming at the first hint of trouble. How refreshing.