Doctor Who: 11 Most Memorable Companion Exits Of The Last Decade

The role of the Doctor Who companion is now as iconic and coveted as the leading man himself and some would argue that the show actually belongs to them rather than the titular Time Lord (though despite what some people are saying, it's still highly unlikely that the programme will be retitled 'The Clara Show' any time soon - sorry Jenna!). In many ways this is true - the companion serves as our eyes and ears into the Doctor's weird and wonderful world and their background, more often than not rooting back to present day Earth, is always instantly relatable for the viewers watching at home. Back in the days of Classic Who, the companion largely served to scream and ask the important, and some less so, questions but since the show's reinvention for a 21st century audience they have become fully-fledged and dimensional characters in their own right. The Doctor is often defined by the human being/s by his side and, as fans prepare to commemorate the 10th anniversary of NuWho, it's as good a time as any to take a fond look back at the companions who have graced our screens over the last decade. They came, they kicked alien butt and they had a ball and over the next 11 pages you'll be reminded of some of their most memorable departures to date, including the heartbreaking, the bittersweet and the downright traumatic. As you'll soon discover, some of his companions are mentioned more than once on this list because, as it turns out, a lot of them just can't stay away. When they've been handpicked to step aboard the TARDIS for adventures through time and space, can you really blame them?