5. Donna Noble
One of the best examples of a Doctor Who character who transformed herself into one of the nation's most beloved on screen heroes. Viewers didn't really know what to think when Donna Noble was introduced as the loud mouthed, brash and fiesty bride to be in the 2006 Christmas Special, The Runaway Bride, but her subsequent return as the Doctor's full time sidekick in Series 4 helped to establish her as one of the most popular companions in Doctor Who history. Because, in short, this self proclaimed "best temp in Chiswick" was everything that a Doctor Who companion should be. Never one to give up without a fight, she was vigorously loyal until the bitter end and ended up growing as a person throughout her travels in the TARDIS. And the Tenth Doctor learned from her, too. One of the most heartbreaking moments in Who's modern memory (sorry, Donna!), then, came in the Series 4 finale when the Doctor was forced to wipe her memories in order to save her brain from self combusting under the pressure of her new found Time Lord knowledge (it was a very long story, and you really had to be there!). Not only had Donna forgotten all about her adventures, but she'd now never realise her true potential, which is probably the biggest tragedy of them all. Still, she got married in the end and the Doctor gave her a winning lottery ticket, so let's not feel too badly for her, eh?
Dan Butler
Doctor Who Editor
Dan Butler is the Doctor Who Editor at WhatCulture.com. When he isn't writing his own articles or editing other people's, he can be found trawling the internet for gifs of Steven Moffat laughing. Contact him via dan.butler@whatculture.co.uk.
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