Abbott: Royals are like 'Shameless'

Shameless writer Paul Abbott has claimed that the Royal Family could be made to resemble characters in the show.

Speaking to the Radio Times, Abbott said that aristocratic families in Britain share many similar features with the notorious Gallaghers.

"There are Frank Gallaghers really elegantly camouflaged in half of sub-aristocratic Britain," he told the magazine.

"The working classes will always give you a better market for storylines.

"You've got the built-in conflict of a lack of access to education and revenue. That said, I could make the Royal Family look like Shameless. It really isn't far off."

The sixth series of Shameless, which includes 16 episodes, starts on Channel 4 on January 27.