Shameless 'too good' for big names

Shameless creator Paul Abbot has revealed he has had to turn down a host of guest stars - including Matt Lucas and Bill Nighy - because the show is good enough without them.

The 47-year-old told the Manchester Evening News that Little Britain's Matt, Golden Globe winner Bill and Life On Mars actor John Simm had all called up asking to appear alongside layabout Frank Gallagher.

But he feels the Bafta-nominated series, set on a Manchester council estate, is strong enough without big-name guests, saying: "We had to turn them down. We don't need to use them."

He also revealed that Cheers star Woody Harrelson is being lined up to play Frank in a US version of the Channel 4 show.

The adaptation is set to be produced by the makers of ER and The West Wing, with Paul writing the scripts and acting as executive producer.

But he admitted that some of the cast's more colourful language would have to be toned down for the Stateside audience.