Abbott admits to 'Shameless' regret

Shameless creator Paul Abbott has claimed that the show's fifth series was a disappointment.

Speaking to the Radio Times ahead of the series six premiere, which airs on Channel 4 next week, the writer conceded that mistakes were made in last year's run.

"I wasn't happy with the last series. Sometimes it can rest on its laurels," Abbott told the magazine.

"Like it's painted with a 5in brush, and it doesn't need to do that. Writers need to know how sophisticatedly they can attend to a storyline. It's not all about c**ks and t*ts and swearing."

Abbott also compared the show's Gallagher clan to the Royal Family in the interview.