THE American version of Burnley-born writer Paul Abbott’s TV drama Shameless will hit UK screens for the first time tonight.

Shameless USA has earned rave reviews Stateside for its take on a rundown Chicago neighbourhood, which has stayed faithful to the UK version based on the infamous Chatsworth estate.

Abbott’s own childhood experiences living on Burnley’s Healey Wood estate inspired the original serial, based around feckless Frank Gallagher and his extended brood.

The first series of the US version of Shameless proved so popular that a second series was commissioned just a month after it made its network debut.

The role of Frank Gallagher has been portrayed over the pond by 61-year-old William H Macy, who has garnered excellent reviews for his portrayal of the drunken lout.

Macy said: “He’s just an extreme version of me.

“The version that happens at about 11 o’clock at night, when I’m lit up and I’ve just finished some work, or had a success and I’m letting my hair down.

“It’s like living that time all the time. His whole addictive personality I understand completely. I love to drink.

“His sense of humour is absolutely mine. His sense of irony is me. He’s a happy guy generally speaking and I think, as the years go on, we will become even more the same person.”

Shameless US starts on More 4 at 10pm tonight.

The characters

EXTRA TIME - US SHAMELESS :: Frank Gallagher - made famous by David Threlfall, Frank is selfish and gets hammered every night but loves his kids.

:: Fiona - the eldest daughter works two dead-end jobs to support her family, but is very insecure about men.

:: Steve - played in the UK by James McAvoy, he’s handsome, wealthy and falls for Fiona.

:: Lip - short for Phillip, Lip is the second Gallagher kid and earns money tutoring his fellow student Karen.

:: Ian - the third Gallagher kid is in the Army and having a secret affair.

:: Carl - second youngest, a pyromaniac.

:: Debbie - a middle Gallagher child, she has a good heart and collects money for charity.

:: Sheila - Frank’s agoraphobic love interest is obsessed with shoes.