BURNLEY-born writer Paul Abbott is the toast of Hollywood after the US version of his TV drama ‘Shameless’ garnered rave reviews.

Abbott’s own childhood experiences living on the town’s Healey Wood estate inspired the original serial, based around feckless Frank Gallagher and his extended brood.

And while the infamous Chatsworth estate makes way for a run-down Chic-ago neighbourhood, the Stateside take on the family is remarkably faithful to the East Lancashire-based original.

William H Macy, who plays Shameless USA’s Frank, has paid tribute to former Barden High School pupil Abbott’s role in ensuring the American Gallaghers live in a ‘real’ world.

And the critics have on the whole been positive, with the Hollywood Reporter newspaper noting how Shameless was ‘excellent, compelling television’, and the San Fransico Chronicle observing that Abbott ‘makes sure the quirkiness of the Gallaghers is rooted in three-dimen-sional, credible characterisation’.

Emmy Award-winning Macy, who has starred in films like Fargo and The Cooler, said: “When I first watched the British series, I thought it was like a kitchen-sink drama.

"But in fact, it’s a farce. We go to some outrageous places.

“It’s a testament to Paul Abbott that the world is so organic and real that it gives you licence to go insane with some of the plots.”

The only reservation Macy had, perhaps wary of upsetting middle America, was in the portrayal of Frank's rampant alcoholism.

US network Showtime is behind the ‘Shameless’ reworking, with the second episode airing on the cable channel last night.

Channel 4, which broke new ground in broadcasting the UK series, has signed up to bring Macy’s Frank Gallagher to British living rooms later in the year.

Like the original UK series, eldest daughter Fiona, with Phantom of the Opera starlet Emmy Rossum taking on the role which was a breakthrough part for Anne-Marie Duff this side of the pond, looks after the clan.

She is courted by whizz-kid Steve, Lost's Justin Chatwin (James McAvoy in the UK) and has to look after siblings Lip, Carl, Debbie, Ian and baby Liam.

Colne actor Jody Latham first made a name for himself as Lip, whose US equivalent (Jeremy Allen White) is just as much of a schemer.

Film veteran Joan Cusack plays Frank’s agoraphobic girlfriend, Sheila.

Shameless is excellent, compelling television from the first moment. As long as it stays true to the roots of the original, it's going to be essential viewing.

Shameless reviews from US papers

The Hollywood Reporter: Shameless is excellent, compelling television from the first moment. As long as it stays true to the roots of the original, it's going to be essential viewing.

The Boston Globe: The sentimental streak in the show is compensated by Frank’s coldness and the scrappy urban realism, translated so effectively from the British original.

San Francisco Chronicle: Abbott makes sure the quirkiness of the Gallaghers is firmly rooted in three-dimensional, credible characterization. You never feel a bit of inauthenticity here.

New York Times Deftly adapted and surprisingly appealing, crude, funny and also touching.

Chicago Sun-Times: The charm of the show – and of the Gallagher family – is in its anarchy.