Front excited about new budget

Rebecca Front was delighted to learn her The Thick Of It character had been elected leader of the Opposition - because it boosted her costume allowance.

The actress plays Nicola Murray in the BBC Two comedy, which is back with a new series reflecting the real-life coalition government.

"She has some knowledge but she's massively over-promoted," Rebecca said of Nicola's new appointment.

"I had a meeting with Armando [Iannucci, the show's creator] and he said, 'You know you're leader...' and I just had this big grin on my face. I was thinking 'costume budget'!"

In the new series, Nicola has brought new special advisor Helen Hatley (played by Rebecca Gethings) into the mix, much to the annoyance of notorious spin-doctor Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi).

"Malcolm finds her infuriating," Gethings said.

"They don't get on at all. He really dislikes this feminine element and this namby-pamby way she and Nicola have of expressing themselves. They've even brought in scented candles and aromatherapy."

:: The Thick Of It continues on BBC Two on Saturdays. The first episode is available to view at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer