Former 80s Companion Returns to Doctor Who

By Owen Quinn author of the Time Warriors and Zombie Blues

Copyright of BBC

Former companion Melanie Bush played by Bonnie Langford will return to fght alongside the new Doctor Ncuti Gatwa and Ruby Sunday in 2024.

Bonnie was companion to both the 6th aand 7th Doctors Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy respectively back in the 80s. Her entrance was unique as she had no real debut sstory. Mel was plaucked from time during the Trial of a Time Lord as witness for the defence. She made her debut in Terror of the Vervoids, was there when the Doctor regenerated and left in Dragonfire to pave the way for Ace (Sophie Aldred). In her time she fought the Vervoids, Tetraps, the Rani, the Master, a dragon, kiler robots, killer pensioners, gangs and the Bannermen. She left the Doctor to go roaming the galay with rogue Sabolom Glitz played by the late Tony Selby. She returned in the Big Finish audio plays where Mel became a more mature character compared to her exercise fitness persona we first met.

Unofficially she first got involved with the Doctor in a Master story involving computers in the future. Mel was an expert with computers and lived in Pease Pottage. She returned in the Jodie Whittaker finale Power of the Doctor along with other old companions in a discussion group arranged by Graham (Bradley Walsh.)

Now she is back in a full blown adventure with the new Doctor and Ruby battling monsters once more. Her return is very welome indeed given how controversially she was treated by fans back then.

Bonnie Langford said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be bringing Melanie Bush back. To be part of the exceptional cast, crew and production team led by the force of nature that is Russell T Davies is a career highlight. I’m so privileged and proud to have been a member of the Doctor Who family since the classic era and to be included in the new generation is phenomenal.” 

Showrunner, Russell T Davies said: “Open those TARDIS doors wide, because Bonnie’s back! What an honour, delight and hoot to welcome back the character of Melanie, after too long away. And this isn’t just a cameo, Bonnie is right in the thick of the action, battling monsters and chaos and cliffhangers, right at the Doctor’s side, just like the old days.”