That bovvered bride tracks down the Time Lord

His last assistant had to tear herself away because she had fallen hopelessly in love with him.

And the one before that was sucked into a parallel universe.

Let's hope the good Doctor has a little more luck holding onto his latest sidekick.

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Catherine Tate is joining the cast of Doctor Who as Donna Noble, the runaway bride who found herself in the middle of an inter-galactic power struggle in the BBC1 series Christmas special last year.

Miss Noble is not made of the stern stuff the Time Lord, played by David Tennant, usually requires in his assistants.

But at the start of series four, she manages to track him down as London is overrun with aliens. Another episode will see the pair travelling back in time to meet Agatha Christie.

Miss Tate, 39, is better known as a comedienne, whose characters include the horrendous schoolgirl Lauren with her catchphrase 'Am I Bovvered?'.

She has already started filming the new 13-part Doctor Who series, to be broadcast starting next spring.

Doctor Who executive producer and head writer Russell T Davies said: "Visiting Agatha Christie has been on my wish list for ages now, and for the Doctor, it's a real meeting of minds.

"Viewers can expect many more ambitious-storylines and a whole host of guest stars in 2008."

Kylie Minogue has already been lined up to appear in this year's Christmas special.

Miss Tate said: "I am delighted to be returning to Doctor Who. I had a blast last Christmas."

Freema Agyeman also returns as the lovelorn Martha Jones, giving the Doctor two companions midway through the fourth series.

Blackadder and Notting Hill actor Tim McInnerny will also appear.

After a 16-year absence, Doctor Who returned to the BBC in 2005 to critical acclaim and massive audiences.

Christopher Eccleston played the Doctor before David Tennant took over in the second series.