SHE may be flying through the air with the 'greatest of ease right now—but soon she'll only be able to wing along with the help of the Tardis.
Bonnie Langford, currently starring in the panto Peter Pan, is to be Dr. Who's new assistant.
And BBC TV executives are keeping their fingers crossed that some of Peter Pan's immortality will rub off on the programme.
Since the last series ended it has had BBC boss Michael Grade's axe hanging over it.
He thought it was too violent and unimaginative.
Bubbly 21-year-old Bonnie, who wasn't even born when the first Dr. Who episode went out, will become assistant number twenty for the good doctor.
She teamed up with the current Time Lord, Colin Baker, at the Aldwych theatre yesterday for the announcement.
Fans of the programme will get their first chance to see Bonnie towards the end of the next series, which starts in the autumn.
She plays Melanie, a 21-year-old computer programmer with a sense of humour and keen on health food.
She will try to get the Doctor to diet and take more excercise.
"Actually, I'm a bit of a health freak myself," said a delighted Bonnie yesterday. "I eat chicken and scrambled egg until I begin to cluck.
"But I'm glad to be playing a grown-up part.
Melanie annoys the doctor by constantly singing in the Tardis, but it being hinted that the two will develop a closer bond than normal.
Colin dismissed any idea of romance though.
"There will be no hanky panky in the Tardis." he said firmly.
Caption: MAGIC: Bonnie and Colin team up for Dr. Who.
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