<Tr> <Td_colspan="5"> <P> Pat, referred to with epithets about her weight, such as "Fat Pat" or "Pumpkin Tits", plays a publicity or communications role with the office of the Prime Minister . It is not clear exactly what her position is, but she is a frequent competitor with Malcolm for power and influence within the party . Formerly worked for ITN, before becoming a "Nutter", a supporter of Tom Davis within the Number 10 press office . She remains part of the party communications team during Series 4, moving to the Norman Shaw Buildings . </P> </Td> </Tr> <P> Pat, referred to with epithets about her weight, such as "Fat Pat" or "Pumpkin Tits", plays a publicity or communications role with the office of the Prime Minister . It is not clear exactly what her position is, but she is a frequent competitor with Malcolm for power and influence within the party . Formerly worked for ITN, before becoming a "Nutter", a supporter of Tom Davis within the Number 10 press office . She remains part of the party communications team during Series 4, moving to the Norman Shaw Buildings . </P> <Tr> <Th> TBA </Th> <Td> Douglas Tickel </Td> <Td> Unseen </Td> <Td> Nurse </Td> <Td> Series 4 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="5"> Douglas Tickel was a nurse that became homeless after his key - worker housing was sold off and refused alternative accommodation . He took up residence in a tent as a protest against the policy, committing suicide in episode 4.3 . Tickel had intense mental health issues that became evident after the leaking of his confidential medical records . After Glenn and Terri's leak in episode 4.5, the media gains hold of a chain of offensive emails from members of the Government targeted towards Tickel's mental troubles, including such quotes such as "the fucker's a nutbag" from Emma . His death and the illegal leaking of his medical records later sparked the Goolding Inquiry into the "culture of leaking". </Td> </Tr>

Who are the characters in the thick of it based on