Comic will keep sights on politicians

The 48-year-old, the man behind famously foul-mouthed Westminster sitcom The Thick of It, said he could not help but feel slightly “guilty” about accepting the award.

He said: “The honour is working with lots of performers and writers so I did feel a bit guilty. I just hope it’s not an attempt by the Government to stop me because that’s not going to happen.”

Iannucci has been a constant presence in British comedy – on both sides of the camera – for more than 20 years.

He has worked on hit shows including The Day Today and I’m Alan Partridge, and his new show, Veep, saw him move into American TV.

The writer, producer and performer was born in Glasgow to a Scottish mother and Italian father and studied at Oxford University.