"Steve has this amazing ability to improvise"

Armando Iannucci is a Scottish satirist, writer and director who is the brains behind amazing series like Veep, The Thick of It and one of our all-time favourites, I'm Alan Partridge.

His latest project, The Personal History of David Copperfield, starring Dev Patel in the lead role, has already received incredible reviews, with some critics saying; "this may be one of the best Dickens film adaptations".

The movie focuses on the life of David Copperfield from childhood to maturity, with his own adventures and the web of friends and enemies he meets along his way:

Ahead of its general release in cinemas this Friday, Ian Dempsey gave Armando call to learn how one approaches Dickens.

Iannucci discusses the "contemporary themes" and the slightly "pythonesque" feel throughout the film.

And with the 56-year-old being such a good friend and long-time collaborator of Steve Coogan, Iano couldn't let the interview pass without asking what it's like working with Mr Alan Partridge himself.

Catch the chat in full by pressing the play button on screen.