THE writers of award-winning television series The Thick Of It have promised to leave fans wanting more as the final series comes to an end tonight.

Show creator Armando Iannucci, originally from Glasgow, claims he wants to quit while he is ahead as fans say farewell to the political satire.

The show, which made foul-mouthed spindoctor Malcolm Tucker a household name, first aired on BBC4 seven years ago after Iannucci was inspired to write it when arguing the case for Yes Minister in a 2004 Best British Sitcom poll.

Since then the show, which switched to BBC2 in 2009, has increased in popularity. Critics said it could "scarcely be more topical", while it has often been said to eerily imitate real life.

The final series has played out against the backdrop of a Leveson-style inquiry and even prompted a select committee to warn the UK Government against The Thick Of It-style special adviser appointments.

However, Iannucci said despite its popularity, this is "definitely the last series". He added: "I don't think it's going to change politics. In terms of comedy hopefully it will inspire someone in the same way that I remember listening to Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy or watching Not The Nine O'Clock News and thinking, I want to do something like that. You end up making something not like that, but it gives you the impetus to set out on that road."

The final episode will appear on BBC2 tonight at 9.30pm.