Dee lands role in New Labour drama

Jack Dee is to star as a sinister Labour spin doctor in a controversial new BBC drama.

He will play a Machiavellian character, based on Peter Mandelson, in The Deputy - which could reopen wounds between the BBC and the Government following the Hutton Inquiry.

The series will also star Warren Clarke as a fictional deputy prime minister, inspired, John Prescott.

Dee told the Daily Telegraph: "The show's inspiration is a growing awareness of how government really works.

"My man is a hybrid of characters, but he's particularly based on Peter Mandelson, who I think is very interesting because he's idiosyncratic."

"The show was originally due to go out in October, but it got put back because of Hutton, when obviously they felt things were a little sensitive.''

Dee will also be on screen in the New Year championing Fawlty Towers in the BBC's search for Britain's best sitcom.

Published: 13 Dec 2003