Doctor Who: 10 Unbeatable Doctor/Companion Duos

9. The Eighth Doctor & Lucie Miller

Since Moffat kindly canonised the Big Finish Eighth Doctor Adventures made by Big Finish in The Night of the Doctor, it only seems fair to acknowledge one of the range's greatest pairings. Given to the Doctor by the Time Lords to protect, this gobby lass from Blackpool wasn't initially very impressed by the guy in the fancy dress, while the Doctor was in no mood for a new friend after Charley Pollard. Like a 1930s screwball comedy pairing, the pair squabbled their way through a number of adventures before finding that they actually quite liked being together after all. The Doctor can be an insufferable know-all and it's good for him to have a companion who can burst his pomposity on occasion. Lucie took threats head on and showed bravery and determination and a deep affection for the Time Lord. She may project a hard shell but Lucie had a soft centre and as listeners grew to know her, they grew to love her, too. Sheridan Smith was an inspired piece of casting and forms a brilliantly sparky rapport with Paul McGann that deserves as much recognition as the TV partnerships. Their final adventure together is heartbreaking.