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Armando Iannucci talks Alan Partridge and Malcolm Tucker

The state of UK politics means there is no need for The Thick of It, and the US political scene is so absurd currently that it would be "beyond sitcom territory" to produce Veep, said the satirist who founded both programmes.

Armando Iannucci was also asked about his creations Alan Partridge and Malcolm Tucker when he spoke to Daily Politics reporter Ellie Price.

He said: "If I had done an episode in which the minister got up and the letters starting falling off behind her, I would have rejected that as completely over the top, and unbelievable.”

20 October 2017

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NE, Orkney & Shetland

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BBC News

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Birmingham & Black Country

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PM challenged on West's councils facing bankruptcy

BBC Newsline

BBC Newsline signed summary

BBC Scotland weather presenter Christopher Blanchett in front of a weather map of Scotland showing snow warnings.

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Power station demolition captured by drone

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Woman gets first double lung transplant done by robot

Ryan Borgwardt

US kayaker who faked own death thought to have fled to Europe

Ruth Dodsworth in the BBC studios in Cardiff. She is sitting on an orange sofa. She has cropped blonde hair and is wearing a fitted mauve top,

Stalking was part of my daily life, says presenter

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Manx capital sparkles at Christmas lights switch-on

A woman has her make up done in a Swansea salon for Beaujolais Day

'Beaujolais day is Swansea's Christmas'

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Aardman unveils new Wallace and Gromit trail

Lindsay Hoyle dragged by both arms

Watch: Moment Speaker dragged to Commons chair

In a traditional part of the process, the successful candidate pretends to be reluctant to take up the role.

Correspondent Ben Chu

Quick take on Labour's energy plan

BBC Verify's Ben Chu on what to make of Labour’s plans to decarbonise UK electricity production.

Chris Mason and Mark Logan

Watch: Former Tory MP says he is backing Labour

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Factory workers in Milton Keynes

Watch: Party leaders on the campaign trail

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Carla Denyer

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Faiza Shaheen talking on BBC Newsnight

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Rishi Sunak

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Sir Keir Starmer wearing a suit and a brown tie

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Keir Starmer

Starmer pleased Rayner has been 'vindicated'

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Rishi Sunak

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Nigel Farage

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Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer asked if there's a 'lack of enthusiasm' for Labour

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Reeves: No return to austerity under Labour

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Rishi Sunak

Sunak 'disappointed' smoking ban bill did not get through

The PM says he "stepped up to do something that is bold" over his bid to phase out smoking.

Craig Mackinlay MP

Watch: Limb loss MP on his return to Parliament

Craig Mackinlay says he was met by "a storm" of noise when he returned to the House of Commons

Rishi Sunak

Oops! Sunak asks if Welsh are looking forward to Euros

On a campaign trip, the PM asks voters if they will watch the football tournament, even though Wales did not qualify.

Richard Tice

Tories 'terrified' of Reform Party - Richard Tice

The Reform Party leader says Rishi Sunak "bottled it" over calling a surprise general election for July.

Sir Keir Starmer

A vote for Labour is a vote to stop the chaos - Starmer

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