He was the only writer on the programme who acted in it -- as MP Peter Mannion 's inept adviser , Lord of the Rings - obsessive Phil Smith .
Smith also wrote on the BAFTA - winning BBC political comedy The Thick of It .
Smith was the only Smith on the programme who acted in it -- as MP Peter Mannion 's inept adviser , Lord of the Rings - obsessive Phil Smith .
Smith also wrote on the BAFTA - winning BBC political comedy The Thick of It .