Ironically, Shameless comes to an end just as the BBC's latest fly-on-the-wall ­documentary People Like Us causes the residents of another Manchester suburb to complain they're being made to look like a bunch of criminals, alcoholics and benefits scroungers.

But as the eleventh and final series begins tonight, Frank Gallagher (David Threlfall) kicks off proceedings with a brand new poem in which he dares to compare himself to Her Majesty the Queen. And the residents of Chatsworth have strung out the bunting to celebrate their estate being presented with one of the Olympic rings.

But local pride soon turns into a riot when the icon that's unveiled turns out to be a more accurate symbol of Chatsworth's value than locals had bargained for.

While Frank and the Jockey pub remain the only links to the first series, when Shameless still smelled fresh, many viewers will agree that Paul Abbott's creation is now past its sell-by date.

But it still has some surprises up its sleeve. The biggest of these tonight is reserved for Jamie Maguire (Aaron McCusker) when mum Mimi (Tina Malone) drops a bombshell that will cast a magic mushroom-shaped cloud over his entire life.

Tina Malone on her humiliation after going bankrupt

She blames herself for money troubles after splashing £90,000 on her wedding - and buying 15 pairs of £250 Ugg boots.

Shameless star Tina Malone declared bankrupt

Shameless star Tina Malone has been declared bankrupt.

Three episodes in, and the Chatsworth estate continues to have a livelier feel than in recent series. Tonight, while the rest of the estate thinks Kelly (Sally Carman) is coping well with the loss of her baby, only Marty (Jack Deam) sees how her refusal to grieve is making her unstable. Elsewhere, Billy (Michael Taylor) reluctantly accepts Mimi's (Tina Malone) insistence on an open marriage.

Tina Malone on wanting to become a mum again aged 47

Shameless star Tina Malone returns to TV screens tomorrow night as brash battleaxe Mimi Maguire, who has suddenly become a new mum in middle-age.

Shameless star quits over Tina sex scenes

Shameless star Sean Gilder is quitting the hit show - because he can't face more sex scenes with Tina Malone.

With much of the original cast and crew departed, this scally saga is said by some to have passed its sell-by date. That might be so, yet even on series seven, it remains one of the most energetic, outrageously ribald dramas around. Tonight Mimi (Tina Malone) bags herself a toy boy who isn't all he seems.