Bacup's Jody Latham to return to the screen for Shameless finale (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Bacup's Jody Latham to return to the screen for Shameless finale

2:31pm Wednesday 16th January 2013 in News By Chris Adams

THE makers of Shameless have said they are putting the finishing touches to the finale of the series which will return to screens for the last time in the spring.

Jody Latham, who grew up in Colne and now lives in Bacup, is to return to his role as Lip Gallagher for the final episode of the long-running show, created by Burnley writer Paul Abbott.

And up-and-coming Rawtenstall actor Thomas O’Toole will also play a bit part as a thief in one episode.

Latham, 29, hasn’t featured in the show since 2008 when his character was written out.

The actor was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence in December after admitting to growing cannabis plants at an ex-girlfriend’s home in Stacksteads.

Writer Abbott said the reason for ending the show, which first aired in 2003, was linked to the death of his father, whom he cited as his inspiration.

He said: “Its tenth anniversary seems a fitting time to shut the book on Shameless. We've had an absolute ball making this stuff up for a living.

“We've given back in spades and got away with absolute murder, on behalf of such a fantastically outspoken audience.”

O’Toole, 21, was believed to be the youngest landlord in the country when he took charge of Rawtenstall venue Madison’s Wine Bar aged 20 in October 2011.

The former Haslingden High School and Accrington and Rossendale College student quit the pub in August to concentrate on his acting career, having previously had roles in Hollyoaks and Waterloo Road.

He was in Wythenshawe, in south Manchester, at the weekend to shoot his scenes for the series.

Original cast members such as Ann-Marie Duff will also return for the climax of the 11th series.

And Take That star Jason Orange will also make a cameo appearance during one of the episodes, playing a DJ called Scouse Mouse who sets up a festival on the Chatsworth estate.

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