Series one of Shameless included seven episodes, and aired between January 13 and February 24, 2004. Such was the popularity of the first series that the third was commissioned at the same time as the second. A Christmas special aired December 23, 2004. The second series began January 4, 2005, and finished March 8, after ten episodes. A New Year Special aired January 3, 2006. The third series began the following week on January 10 and concluded on February 21, after airing 7 episodes. With effect from the second episode onwards, each episode was premiered on the partner channel to Channel 4, E4, each Tuesday evening following the Channel 4 episode. Shameless returned for a fourth series on January 9, 2007 and aired until February 27, with a total of eight episodes. The fifth series began on January 1, 2008, and ran for sixteen episodes, airing to April 15, 2008.

In March 2008 Rebecca Ryan, who plays Debbie Gallagher in the show, announced filming on a sixth series would begin in April. Shameless returned for series 6 on 27 January 2009, and ran for sixteen episodes, airing to May 12, 2009 [3]. From the 3 January 2009 a trailer was made available to watch on the official Shameless myspace page for series 6.[4]

A seventh series has been confirmed, with Pauline McLynn and Valerie Lilley joining the cast.[5] It will consist of 16 episodes, with filming commencing in June 2009.[6][7]
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1.Having her handbag stolen proves to be a blessing in disguise for Fiona when handsome stranger Steve comes to her rescue.

Lip is shocked to discover Ian could be gay and decides his brother should pay a 'visit' to the ever-accommodating Karen Jackson. But the sudden arrival of her furious father ensures Ian's already slim chances of happiness with Karen take a severe blow.

Meanwhile, Steve buys Fiona a romantic gift
, but for some reason she is less than impressed with her brand new washing machine...

2.It's Friday and Frank is nowhere to be seen, which is a bit odd as it's Giro day. The family starts a manhunt and panic sets in when a body is found in the canal. But Frank turns up in Calais - with no passport and no clue as to how he got there.

3.Friday night at the Jockey and barman Kev is dealing with the usual lairy, pissed-up women on the prowl. When one gets a bit heavy, he tells her the bad news: he's getting married
. The only problem is he hasn't told his girlfriend Veronica...

4.When a small child goes missing from a children's party on the Chatsworth estate, Frank turns the crowd into a lynch mob.
Peers: 1 seeders, 8 leechers, 9 total