As Shameless returns with its eighth series, we unearth the hit C4 show’s Burnley roots as we take a look behind the scenes.

HIDDEN behind high fences and wrought-iron gates in the depths of a Manchester industrial estate lies the inimitable world of Shameless.

Built on the site of a former Umbro factory, alongside manufacturing firms and depots, stands the infamous Chatsworth Estate, based on writer Paul Abbott’s working-class upbringing in Burnley.

To the outside world, the set is a secret and unseen community.

Locals gather outside the gates in the hope of sneaking a glimpse inside.

When the doors open for a brief moment to let in cast and crew, lucky passers-by catch sight of the pink Cadillac parked outside the Maguires’.

But behind the secure perimeter lies far more. The Jockey pub is on the far corner of the complex and cannot be seen from the road.

Next door are the shops and adjoining back streets, with abandoned settee and a pair of trainers hanging from overhead wires.

It’s the attention to detail that strikes you as so impressive, from the overflowing ash trays in The Jockey (where beer really does come out of the pumps) to the attentive wardrobe and make-up staff.

New sets for series eight, which started last night, include another bedroom for Lillian’s brothel, and if you lift up the ‘art’ on the wall there’s a hole through to the airing cupboard just the right size for the camera.

Walking down the main street you can wave to the Gallagher and the Maguire households, and nestled between them is a new family, the Powells: fun and fiery housewife Avril and trainee teacher Jackson Powell, plus their thick but gorgeous teenage daughter Letitia.

Burnley-born Abbott has not written series eight but remains the executive producer of the hit Channel Four series.

Burnley actress Alice Barry, who plays madame Lillian Tyler, took time out from filming with her ‘girls’ to show us around behind the scenes.

Alice was filming week 11 when we visited the set, with a storyline which shows another side to Lillian.

She said: “It’s very emotional and sad in parts.

We see a totally different side to Lillian. She’s normally the comedy within all the drama but it’s her turn to be a bit more serious.”

Lilian runs a brothel from her modest house on the Chatsworth Estate.

These days Alice takes Lillian’s outlandish ways in her stride, but she remembers her first day on set when the script gave her something of a shock.

“I was a Catholic girl, and before I was on Shameless I had never said a swear word out loud.

"On my very first scene my opening a sentence was full of F-words and all sorts.

“I’m used to it now, and it’s all part of Lillian, but I am still very well mannered when I’m not her.

“I like a laugh like Lillian but that’s where our similarities stop.

"She runs a brothel and I run a hotel in Blackpool but it’s a nice hotel.

"We get people joking all the time if we do extras.”

For 10 months a year the stars and floor staff spend 12-hour days behind the metal fences in what is the biggest studio outside London.

The new series has begun this week with five episodes over consecutive days.

When she isn’t filming, Alice has a hands-on role at her hotel which she opened last summer with partner Jeff Hewitt.

“We moved from Burnley last year,” she explained.

“The first time I’ve moved away in my 63 years.

"But I still visit my son back in Burnley. I would really miss it if I didn’t. It’s only an hour away so we’re not strangers.

“And plenty of our friends from East Lancs come to stay.”

Before Shameless, Alice also appeared in Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights and Bob & Rose.

More recently she has tried her hand at films, starring alongside Danny Dyer in mock documentary Just For The Record in 2010.

“I love the lifestyle. I always aimed to be an actress but when your family’s growing up you can’t give it your all.

"But now its my time,” said Alice, whose first acting role was playing Peggy Hargreaves in Clocking Off.

And you’ll be able to read all about her exploits with Danny Dyer in her autobiography, which she plans to write once filming concludes in spring.

But for now it’s back to the slippers, anorak, and gold jewellery for Lillian’s most important series of Shameless yet.

Alice added: “Lillian has been very good to me over the last seven years.

"She’s a great character. She started off so poor, but there’s some good storylines coming up. Watch this space.”