FORMER Shameless and EastEnders actor Jody Latham has admitted growing cannabis to feed his drug addiction.

Yesterday it was revealed that the Burnley-born actor had sought treatment at the Priory clinic for a ‘bad’ addiction to cannabis.

And at Burnley Crown Court he was told he could be facing up to 12 months behind bars after pleading guilty to setting up a cannabis factory at a former girlfriend’s home in Rossendale.

Latham was growing the drug at his then girlfriend Sarah Melia's home in Acre Park, Stacksteads, and she allowed it to go on.

The hearing was told the prosecution had alleged 24 cannabis plants, worth about £14,000, were being grown, but Latham's barrister Wayne Jackson claimed there were 16 plants, to the tune of £9,820.

Latham, 29, of Market Street, Bacup, admitted producing cannabis between March 31 and May 14 2011. Melia, 31, of Cotman Close, Bacup, pleaded guilty to permitting premises at Acre Park to be used for the production of the drug, between the same dates. Both were unconditonally bailed until sentence at the court on December 17.

Latham, who has convictions for assault and threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, found fame as "Lip" Gallagher in the Channel 4 drama Shameless.

But, Judge Beverley Lunt, told by Mr Jackson she knew who she was dealing with, said: “I know nothing about him. Am I supposed to know something about him? I have never heard of Shameless. I have heard of EastEnders.”

Judge Lunt told the actor, who grew up in Colne, he could be sent to jail, for a maximum of 12 months. She said: “I am not saying I will. I need to know more about you.”