Have a Shameless New Year

Celebrate New Year’s Day with the return of Shameless. Bigger, bolder and more outrageous than ever, the residents of the Chatsworth Estate will be back on Channel 4 on New Year’s Day, 1 January 2008, at 10.10pm, with an extended fifth series of 16 new episodes.

Frank and all the lawless and loveable characters of the Chatsworth Estate are filming at their new studios and a replica exterior of the Shameless set - recreated at a new location on a large industrial estate in Wythenshawe, Manchester.

Fans of Shameless can look forward to Chatsworth’s favourite Dad Frank (David Threlfall) managing to sire another Gallagher baby, despite a nasty electrocution incident and a dodgy ticker. Debbie (Rebecca Ryan) still holding the chaotic Gallagher fort and falling in love, while Mum Monica (Anabelle Apsion) takes a more hands-off approach to parenting. And with Lip (Jody Latham) away at Uni, Mandy (Samantha Siddell) finds life as a single parent strangely cathartic.

Elsewhere on the estate, counterfeit widow Yvonne (Kelli Hollis) moves in next door to the Gallaghers with her two teenage kids - and finds love calling from the most unexpected direction. Love triangle coppers Stan (Warren Donnelly), Carrie (Amanda Ryan) and Tom (Michael Legge) leave a trail of tear gas and chaos. While Lillian (Alice Barry) at last finds satisfaction in her flourishing new life as the “madam” of her very own brothel.

The Maguire clan continue to explode the myth of a conventional family. Mickey (Ciaran Griffiths) invests in a pink stretch limo for a new business venture, not forgetting the fact that it makes the perfect shag pad. Mimi facing up to her weight (Tina Malone) and Paddy’s (Sean Gilder) identical twin. Newlyweds Karen (Rebecca Atkinson) and Jamie (Aaron McCusker) begin married life living above the Jockey, and along with Ian Gallagher (Gerard Kearns) run the pub - without the brewery realising they have a new landlord.

With pet python’s eating tattooed dogs; a Mini-Chatsworth Mayor competition; Liam’s (Johnny Bennett) demonic drawings; mail-order brides; Carl’s (Elliott Tittensor) attempts at DIY; Frank’s Alzheimer ridden mother-in-law (Anne Reid); a lottery win; a kidnap; the tale of the white picket fence and Norma’s (Dystin Johnston) Dormobile; not to mention a new sandy beach to catch the rays as they shine down on the Chatsworth Estate – everyday life in the wickedly unpredictable world of Shameless continues to unfold.

John Griffin series producer says: "With the fantastic new facilities and Paul Abbott's unceasing sense of vision for the show, we are in one of the most exciting periods we’ve been through. As brave and as adventurous as when we first embarked on Series 1 and with the same sense of intense creativity."

Liza Marshall, Commissioning Editor for Drama says: “Shameless is a truly unique show that we are hugely proud of at Channel 4. This incredibly popular series has consistently grown from year to year and I am delighted we can offer fans an extended run, and further back Paul Abbott and the creative team behind Shameless.”