I didn't watch it enough to have a preference for the 'sidekick' but I did prefer Tom Barnaby.

@mel-boring said:

Which of the dynamic duo detectives are your favorites? I have a fondness for the original team of Tom Barnaby and Gavin Troy but I think my favorites are Tom Barnaby and Ben Jones. They seem to work the best together. Any other opinions?

As far as the entire ensemble cast is concerned, the original characters worked so well together! Tom Barnaby, Gavin Troy, Joyce Barnaby, Cully Barnaby, Dr. George Bullard. As the cast moved forward beyond these folks, character interactions did not mesh so well. Seemed forced.

If we're including the ensemble, I like the current one, John, Sarah, Betty Barnaby (their disappearing daughter), Jamie Winter, Fleur Perkins, Paddy (Sykes' successor, the disappearing family pet).

Tom Barnaby, Ben Jones, and Dr. George Bullard.

Although I think I could easily swap out Dr. Bullard and Dr. Fleur Perkins. I find them both a bit unconventional and thoroughly entertaining. Too bad there is only one each when it comes to Chief Pathologist; I think Bullard and Perkins would have made a great team.

As for John Barnaby, it isn’t that I don’t enjoy him. It’s just that whenever I see him, all I can think about is that the Director must have said to the actor: “Play Tom”.

@FormerlyKnownAs said:

As for John Barnaby, it isn’t that I don’t enjoy him. It’s just that whenever I see him, all I can think about is that the Director must have said to him: “Play Tom”.

PRECISELY!