Peter Capaldi

Capaldi: 'Tucker wasn't based on Alastair Campbell'

With his profane and aggressive manner, it had widely been assumed that Alastair Campbell was the inspiration for The Thick Of It's fearsome spin doctor Malcolm Tucker. However, Peter Capaldi has disclosed that his foul mouthed character was not based on former Prime Minister Tony Blair's director of communications at all.

Peter Capaldi interview

The lovingly crafted mockumentary is a subject close to Peter Capaldi's heart. TV Choice caught up with him...

Video - Five minutes with: Chris Addison

Comedian Chris Addison talks to Matthew Stadlen about feeling underprepared for his acting roles, the pressure to "think of something funny" - and keep watching to find out what happens when The Thick Of It co-star Peter Capaldi turns into spin doctor character Malcolm Tucker.

David Cameron finds himself in the thick of it

Peter Capaldi, the star of The Thick of It, says a Coalition-themed series of the celebrated BBC comedy is in the offing.

Video: Peter Capaldi in Ladykillers stage version

The actor Peter Capaldi is bringing the old Ealing comedy The Ladykillers to the stage.

Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show he spoke about his love of old British cinema which led him to film a new documentary on the subject.

Peter Capaldi on his fear at meeting Alastair Campbell

Peter Capaldi admits he was terrified of former Downing Street spin doctor Alastair Campbell - because he was so nice.

Peter Capaldi honours spoof film stars

The Thick Of It star Peter Capaldi is to present a spoof TV documentary about the "forgotten stars" of a fictional film studio.

This cinematic off-shoot of the BBC's political sitcom The Thick of It features James Gandolfini (The Sopranos) as a blustering US general, as our hapless crew of civil servants and spin doctors - led by Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) - become entangled in the build-up to a war in the Middle East. It's directed by Armando Ianucci - and a little more broad than the original - but it's horribly funny, provided you can stomach the swearing.

Video: Ladykillers 'homage' takes to the stage

Classic film comedy The Ladykillers is to be brought to the stage in an adaptation by Father Ted and The IT Crowd creator Graham Linehan.

One of the stars, Peter Capaldi, told BBC Breakfast it pays homage to the 1955 film but he says Linehan's re-worked script is a more edgier take on the original production.

Linehan said the action would be kept within the house and there was room within the play to have more fun with the characters.

The Ladykillers will run at the Liverpool Playhouse from 3-19 November, transferring to the Gielgud Theatre in London one week later.

Peter Capaldi - This much I know

The actor, 53, on Glasgow, crime and winning an Oscar.