³ΙΘΛΏμΚΦ

Fans of Channel 4’s hit comedy drama Shameless will be hard put to spot the difference. But their favourite estate has got a body double in Wythenshawe.

For the first four series, filming of the fictional Chatsworth Estate – home of the Gallaghers and the Maguires - was done on a real housing estate in West Gorton.

The Jockey in Shameless

But now a brand new set has been built on a 3-acre site on the Roundthorn Industrial Estate near Wythenshawe Hospital complete with vandalised phone box, a ton of rubbish and Karib’s Cash & Carry.

Frank Gallagher, played by David Threlfall, joined writer and series creator Paul Abbott to have their hands - or in Frank's case a two-fingered salute - cast in cement to mark the official opening.

Filming for the fifth series is now coming to an end and it is expected to be screened in January 2008.

Interviews

³ΙΘΛΏμΚΦ Radio Manchester was there to talk to writer Paul Abbott, David Threlfall (Frank Maguire); Tina Malone (Mimi Maguire); Sean Gilder (Paddy Maguire); and Annabelle Apsion (Monica).

New Chatsworth – facts:

• the new set in Wythenshawe cost Β£250,000;
• a 45,000 sq ft warehouse houses the interior sets of the Gallaghers, the Maguires, Yvonne’s shop and the Jockey pub;
• a ton of rubbish has been used to dress the estate;
• official council plant troughs have been filled with rubbish not plants;
• moss was collected and used to age the roofs of the council houses;
• natural yoghurt was spread on the roofs to look like bird droppings;
• grass has been planted between the paving slab cracks to make it look unkempt;
• pebble dashing the houses took 12 tons of sand and six tons of pebbles;
• there are 50 aerials and satellite dishes on the roofs;
• there is one Manchester phone box (vandalised);