I must admit to having a special affinity with Shameless. For 11 years I worked across the road from the estate where the first three series were filmed. But after thirty-odd years of deprivation, the "Chatsworth" estate is finally getting its long overdue redevelopment, so as we reported in October, Shameless production staff have been hunting for an alternative home for the Gallagher family and their mates.

Yes, unlike other popular comedy dramas that have dropped like flies this year, Shameless is safe for at least another two series and long may it continue. The writing is as fresh now as it was in that first raw, mad episode, and the characters continue to fight the law, the social and each other as they claw their way through "normal life." Except the ones that have left of course, including this time round the wonderful Kev and Veronikkoh (Dean Lennox Kelly and Maxine Peake) who quit the show shortly after the third series ended.

Never mind, some outrageous new characters are lined up to take their places alongside the rest of the regular cast when the show returns to Channel 4 in the New Year.