Shameless Residents Association

Filming - It's Not Always Take, Take, Take

Gerard Kearns, Audrey Hurley and Residents
Shameless Actor Opens Community Centre
Company Pictures (the production company behind the multi-award winning TV series Shameless) have been giving something back to the community this month.

A donation of £5000 was presented to the residents association of the estate in West Gorton that is used as a backdrop to the antics of Paul Abbott's infamous Gallagher family.

The money will aid the residents to run a new community centre, which was officially opened by Gerard Kearns, who plays Ian Gallagher in the show.

John Mckee, secretary of the residents association, said:

"The opening was quite a historic event. We've had the committee running now for more than two years. We had a very good turn out when we opened it to the residents. They were all given free hanging baskets and refreshments."

The donation was welcomed by Audrey Hurley, Chairman of the Residents Association:

"I am a big fan of the show, I love trying to spot familiar places on screen. We see them filming all the time. There was some adverse publicity that did upset people but this money has helped us to put radiators and carpeting in our community centre."

North West Vision's Manchester Film Office is gearing up for the return of the Gallaghers in the next series of Shameless due to start filming later this year. Meetings have already taken place between the film office, the city council's Housing Department and Company Pictures.

Find out what Gerard Kearns had to say about filming in Manchester:

Gerard Kearns
How do you feel about being part of one of the UK's most successful cult dramas?
It's absolutely brilliant. This was my first role and I have landed on my feet.

Did you expect Shameless to be as successful as it has been?
I kind of did. I got vibes from the people who auditioned but the success has been huge. What I didn't expect was the public reaction; for people to recognise me in the street.

So are you a local celebrity then?
No, no I still go to my local pub in Oldham. It's not going to my head.

Do you think you will stay in the Northwest?
I hope so.

What is the best thing about Manchester?
I think actors filming up here will love the nightlife. There is so much to do and so many different types of people. Manchester also has some fantastic locations and the city skyline is amazing. It has a really strong on camera presence.

What will you do next?
I am not sure if I am allowed to say the name but I have just got a part in something, I play a British soldier in Iraq.