Malcolm Tucker Middle East, which the British Prime Minister and American President want. This he does by fabricating intelligence in what could be a fictionalised version of the so-called Dodgy Dossier issued by Alastair Campbell and used by the British government to justify its involvement in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Campbell, who confessed to enjoying "The Thick of It" and even found it "hilarious", was vocal in expressing his dislike of the film version. Two months after the airing of the final episode of series four, Peter Capaldi appeared on GQ magazine's front cover as Malcolm Tucker and recorded a Christmas
Joanna Scanlan 2005-2012. Set in the corridors of power and spin, the series satirises the inner workings of modern British Government, accurately highlighting the trials and tribulations between politicians, civil servants, advisers and the media. The series was initially broadcast as two short series of three episodes on BBC Four in 2005 before the cast was significantly expanded for two hour-long specials coinciding with Christmas and Gordon Brown's appointment as Prime Minister in 2007. The series received a plethora of awards including Best Situation Comedy from the Royal Television Society in 2006 and 2010, and best sitcom and writing team in the