Perhaps the only beneficiary from the scandal that followed the leaking of MPs’ expenses, aside from the Daily Telegraph, has been the viewing figures for Armando Ianucci’s political comedy The Thick of It.

It has made stars of Peter Capaldi as foul-mouthed spin doctor Malcolm Tucker, Rebecca Front as a bumbling cabinet minister and Chris Addison as Ollie Reader, a slimy ministerial aide. Bolstered by the show’s popularity, Addison has embarked on his biggest UK stand-up tour to date and comes to Chipping Norton Theatre on March 12.

Born and raised in Manchester, Addison has been plugging away on the UK’s comedy scene in one form or another since he graduated from university. Over the following 15 years he has toured with his own shows, taken eight shows to the Edinburgh Festival and has also appeared regularly on BBC Radio comedies like The Department and Just a Minute. He didn’t make a televisual impact until 2006, when he landed the part in The Thick of It. Initially a cult comedy on BBC Three that was loved by a few and ignored by many, the programme gradually grew a large following and spawned a spin-off film, In The Loo, in which Addison also starred. Playing pretty much the same character as he did in the programme, he was praised for his performance and he was rewarded with a chance to write his own sitcom. He has also found time to write and star in Labrats, a sitcom which aired in 2008 and is featuring in teenage juggernaut Skins.

Addison’s stand-up is a world away from the frenetic, caustic one liners of The Thick of It; it’s more whimsical, more light hearted and far less cynical. It should be a terrific show and well worth catching – just don’t claim it on expenses.