Weekly Poll: Which Former Doctor Who Companion Would You Like To See Return?

Next week will see actress Katy Manning reprise her role of Jo Grant, former companion to the Doctor, in The Sarah Jane Adventures. Which other companion to the Doctor – from the original series – would you like to see return?

Next week will see actress Katy Manning reprise her role of Jo Grant, former companion to the Doctor, in The Sarah Jane Adventures. The two-part story will see Jo Grant and Sarah Jane (Elisabeth Sladen) meet for the first time on-screen and will also feature an appearance by the 11th Doctor (Matt Smith). Jo joins Sarah, K-9 (John Leeson) and the Brigadier (Nicholas Courtney) as original series companions revived for the Doctor Who franchise; so which other former companion would you like to see return next?

Susan Foreman (Carol Ann Ford)

Supposedly the ‘grand-daughter’ of the Doctor though there is some fan debate over that one. As far as we’re concerned Susan IS the Doctor’s grand-daughter because she was referred to as such on numerous occasions within the show. Susan and the Doctor were travelling together before the series started way back in 1963 but when they arrived in 60s England they decided to stop a while and Susan attended the local comprehensive – Coal Hill School – where she attracted the curiosity of teachers Barbara (Jacqueline Hill) and Ian (William Russell). That’s how the series started with Ian and Barbara barging their way into the Tardis and the Doctor (William Hartnell) dematerialising the Tardis and taking the two with him and Susan. All four travelled together for some time before the Doctor made the painful decision to leave Susan behind in the 22nd century after she had fallen in love with a resistance fighter there.

Polly Wright (Anneke Wills)

Secretary Polly was very much a ‘groovy’ 1960s chic who had a professional daytime job but at night liked to hangout at the trendiest nightspots in London. Polly and sailor Ben (Michael Craze) met the Doctor and Dodo (Jackie Lane) when supercomputer Wotan tried to take over London via War Machines. In a nod back to the early days of the series Polly and Ben barged their way into the Tardis and so began their journey with the Doctor. The two were witness to the very first regeneration in the series following the events of The Tenth Planet (which also introduced the Cybermen) as the first Doctor became the 2nd Doctor (Patrick Troughton). Ben and Polly decided to stop travelling with the Doctor when by chance they arrived back in London on the very day they left.

Jamie McCrimmon (Frazer Hines)

Highlander Jamie joined the Second Doctor and his two companions Ben and Polly on their travels through time and space after they landed in 17th Century Scotland. Jamie and the Doctor quickly became a double-act and Jamie is still a fondly remembered companion of the original series to this day. Following the departure of Ben & Polly the two were joined by Victoria (Deborah Watlin) and later Zoe (Wendy Padbury). Jamie was forced to leave the Doctor after he was captured by the Time Lords at the end of The War Games. Jamie and Zoe were returned to their respective time zones with their memories wiped; only their first adventure with the Doctor was remembered by them.

Liz Shaw (Caroline John)

Scientist Liz Shaw was drafted in to be UNIT’s scientific advisor against her will when Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney) pulled her in from her studies in Cambridge. To add insult to injury her position at UNIT was then stolen by the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and she was made his assistant. However, the Doctor and Liz got along well both being scientists and both working together on the various problems presented to them by UNIT – they both distrusted the military and preferred scientific methods to resolving issues. However, Liz later left UNIT when she became tired of playing assistant to the Doctor.

Romana (Mary Tamm and Lalla Ward)

Time-lady Romana was placed by the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) by the White Guardian and tasked with helping him find the Key to Time. The first Romana and the Doctor had a strained relationship at the time with her clearly being unimpressed by the chaotic nature of the Doctor’s travels. As they searched to the Key to Time their relationship settled down and they developed a respect for each other. Romana’s regeneration was perhaps the saving grace of their relationship though as they travelled together without bickering so much and clearly enjoyed each other’s company. All good things must come to an end though and they parted way when Romana elected to stay behind in E-Space with K-9 (John Leeson).

Tegan Javanka (Janet Fielding)

Australian wananbe air-hostess Tegan once described herself as ‘Mouth of Legs’ which was probably the most accurate description of her ever. Tegan accidentally wondered into the Tardis mistaking it for a real Police Box even though she was A) from Australia and B) from the 1980s. The fourth Doctor was clearly mifted by her presence and the fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) seemed to prefer scientist Nyssa (Sarah Sutton) to the nagging Tegan. Tegan was someone who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind be it at The Master (Anthony Ainley) or her fellow travellers within the Tardis; Adric (Matthew Waterhouse), Nyssa and Turlough (Mark Strickson). Tegan also had a nasty habit of being possessed by the snake-like-demon The Mara. After travelling with the Doctor for several years all she had witnessed took its toll on Tegan and she left the Doctor and Turlough.

Peri Brown (Nicola Byrant)

How to make a good first impression on fans? Swim in the ocean in a bikini – it certainly did the trick for Peri. In her very first adventure she stripped off and swam in the ocean as did Mark Strickson but the less said about that the better. The American Peri (English companions fell out of favour after Sarah and didn’t come back into fashion until Bonnie Langford’s Mel) met the Fifth Doctor and Turlough and agreed to go travelling in the Tardis. Her bickering relationship with the Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) wasn’t given time to settle down because the series was cancelled but later revived – damaging Doctor Who severely. Peri left the Doctor to start a new life as a warrior queen or was killed; which ever exit you prefer.

Ace (Sophie Aldred)

Ace was different from previous companions – there was a bit of mystery about her. What was a girl from 1980s Earth doing on Iceworld where she met the Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Mel (Bonnie Langford)? Well it was later revealed that the timeline had been manipulated by a force known as Fenric so the Doctor and Ace would meet. The Doctor and Fenric were old enemies and were caught in a game of ‘chess’ with Ace as one of the pawns. Quite how Ace left the Doctor hasn’t been revealed on-screen because the series was cancelled in 1989 and when it briefly returned in 1996 not one mention was made of her.

The poll is only for companions from the original series; sorry folks but if you want to see Rose (Billie Piper) or Donna (Catherine Tate) return you’ll have to wait for another poll! We have also only included companions which, as yet, have not returned to the Doctor Who franchise on-screen. If the companion for your choice isn’t amongst our selection – say Leela (Louise Jameson) for example – then simply post their name below! All such posts will be counted within the final results.

The poll will remain open until Friday 29th October 2010. The Sarah Jane Adventures: Death of the Doctor airs on the CBBC Channel on Monday & Tuesday at 5.15pm.