According the the premieres list on Digital Spy, Series 5 of Shameless is sceduled to start on Tuesday 1st January 2008 at 10.10pm on Channel 4.

Cool, I thought it was going to be the 8th

It was in one of the papers today with a big picture of a brand new female character who is joining the cast and lives a few doors down to Frank.

The Maguire clan continue to explode the myth of a conventional family. Mickey (Ciaran Griffiths) invests in a pink stretch limo for a new business venture, not forgetting the fact that it makes the perfect shag pad. Mimi facing up to her weight (Tina Malone) and Paddy’s (Sean Gilder) identical twin. Newlyweds Karen (Rebecca Atkinson) and Jamie (Aaron McCusker) begin married life living above the Jockey, and along with Ian Gallagher (Gerard Kearns) run the pub - without the brewery realising they have a new landlord.

With pet python’s eating tattooed dogs; a Mini-Chatsworth Mayor competition; demonic drawings; mail-order brides; a lottery win; a kidnap; the tale of the white picket fence and Norma’s Dormobile; not to mention a new sandy beach to catch the rays as they shine down on the Chatsworth Estate – everyday life in the wickedly unpredictable world of Shameless continues to unfold.

sounds good, when did Jez leave ?

I don't think she has left yet- I assume she leaves early on in the next series.

According to the Shameless webpage, some people may be able to watch the first episode on Myspace around Christmas time..... Might be worth looking it up if your interested!

Yeh thats what i thought but she wasnt in last ep of series 4 (off having baby) but that was the only mention of her i think ? Hope they dont just write her out

The first episode has already been shown on myspace on December 10th.

The new series of Shameless is fantastic.Both Shameless and Skins,2 of the best series on tv just now.Congratulations to the writers.