Tate to be Doctor's Companion in 2008

[Guest guest]

Tate (right) played a blushing bride transported onto the Tardis

Comedian Catherine Tate is to play Doctor Who's new companion,

reprising her role from the 2006 Christmas special, the BBC has

announced.

She will join David Tennant for the complete 13-week run of the new

series of Doctor Who, which is due to begin filming in Cardiff later

this month.

 

Freema Agyeman, who played the Doctor's companion Martha Jones in the

third series, will return mid-series.

 

Kylie Minogue will be starring in this year's Christmas special.

 

Tate will be returning to her role as Donna, the runaway bride who

found herself transported into the Tardis as she prepared for her

wedding on Christmas Eve.

 

The episode, broadcast on BBC One on Christmas Day, attracted an

audience of 9.4 million.

 

Donna was invited by the Doctor to travel with him at the end of the

episode, but the invitation was declined at the time.

 

We are delighted that one of Britain's greatest talents has agreed

to join us for the fourth series

 

Russell T Davies

 

Tate was asked if she would like to become the Doctor's new companion

at the press screening of the Christmas episode to which she

replied, " I would love to, but no one has asked! "

 

Doctor Who's executive producer and head writer, Russell T Davies

described Tate as an " absolute star " in The Runaway Bride episode.

 

" We are delighted that one of Britain's greatest talents has agreed

to join us for the fourth series, " he said.

 

" Viewers can expect more ambitious storylines and a whole host of

guest stars in 2008. "

 

Catherine Tate said: " I am delighted to be returning to Doctor Who.

 

" I had a blast last Christmas and look forward to travelling again

through time and space with that nice man from Gallifrey. "

 

Agyeman, 28, is to play Martha Jones in three episodes of spin-off

show Torchwood, which producers have said will " expand " her

character.

 

She replaced Billie Piper, who left at the end of the second series.

 

The fourth series of Doctor Who is due to debut on BBC One in Spring

2008.

 

A Christmas special starring David Tennant and Kylie Minogue will be

screened on Christmas Day 2007.