Channel 4 has commissioned a fourth series of Shameless after David Threlfall agreed to reprise his role as Frank Gallagher.

The new run of the outlandish drama will air from next January in its same Tuesday, 10pm slot.

"The quality of the writing from Paul Abbott and his team has kept the series thriving and made it one of C4's great home grown drama successes," said Francis Hopkinson, senior commissioning editor of drama.

Several new characters will be introduced in the new series, while storylines will be expanded to outside of the Gallagher clan.