WE ASK SALFORD - HOW REALISTIC IS SHAMELESS? 

Opinion is well divided on whether Shameless is taking the piss out of the working class or actually reflecting real life. Others believe it's just a comedy and not worth wasting any time thinking about – especially when you could be drinking…

We thought we'd put it to the vote and today went out on the streets of Langworthy, right in the heart of Salford, to see what local people of all ages thought…with some surprising results.

Then Salfordian actor, Ciaran Griffiths, who plays Mickey McGuire, tells us his bonkers character is actually based on someone from Salford…"But I can't say who or I'll get battered!"

THE GREAT SALFORD STAR SHAMELESS SURVEY
By Sandra Makin, Mike Scantlebury and Mark Byrne.

"Yeah, I like Shameless. I like the violence in it. It's not like my life but it is realistic. There are lots of people like that about, about 70% of our estate!"
Jordan Hughes, 16

"It's on tonight – I watch it all the time, it's cool. I'd say about half of it is realistic and it shows people in a good light – it's a council estate, innit."
Darren Cudahy, 20

"I love it and watch it every week.  It's a bit over the top but very funny. I reckon it's about 40% realistic."
Zoe Roscoe, a young mum.

"I always watch it and then watch the next week's episode straight away.  I think it's down to earth and genuine, apart from the rude bits, you don't see that!  I think Shameless shows people as they really were from years ago, if you go back, that's what council estates were like."
Sue Yendall, Seedley Pet Shop

"I always watch it, I love it, it has me belly laughing. Some of my friends are like that but not everyone! I think it shows it as it really is, at least 95% real…"
Gail Derbyshire, young mum

"I have watched it, but I didn't really get it. I thought it was a comedy, the characters are a bit strong but it's pretty realistic. I liked the guy with the straggly hair. I live on a council estate and it is a bit like that but not everyone."
Paul Radnedge, from Weaste

"I never miss it, and watch next week's straight after. Yeah, it's 100% like our estate, that's just the way it is around our way."
Callum Connelly, 20.

And Ciaran Griffiths, who used to live in Eccles and plays Mickey McGuire says…

"There will be places with people like Frank Gallagher and families that are like that.  I imagine there's loads, yeah. When I first got the part of Mickey I did base him loosely on someone I knew but I can't say who or I'll get battered!

"It was just certain bits of him, not the gay side, just the way that you don't know what he's going to do next….that unpredictability…the way they look at you and you don't know if they're being alright or they want to hit you, sort of thing.

"Some of Shameless is a bit sensationalised and some of the stories are mad but on the other side I think there are things that are really true to life."

For Shameless Part 1 click here http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=81

For Shameless Part 3 click here http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=94

For Shameless Part 4 click here http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=96

For Shameless Part 5 click here http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=125

For Shameless Part 6 click here http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=126