Ever wondered what being an extra on the set of Shameless would be like? Mingling with the Gallaghers and the Maguires, and starring in the show? Competition winner Anita Lamb can tell you all about it…
Anita was the lucky winner of channel4.com's Be an Extra competition which ran on the Shameless website during Series 6. She filmed her walk-on parts for Series 7 at the Shameless set in Manchester in July 2009.
Despite a very busy - and hot - day, Anita managed to take time out of her busy filming schedule (get her!) for a quick chat.
Where are you from/live now?
'I was born and still live in Oldham, I am trying to escape.'
What do you do for a living?
'I am an office worker in Manchester.'
How big a Shameless fan are you?
'I am a huge Shameless fan, I adore the programme. I have watched every episode and I am eagerly awaiting Series 7.'
How did you feel when you first heard you won the competition?
'I returned home alone one evening and listened to the answer machine message left by Helen from Channel 4. It was a wonderful message saying I had won the Shameless competition to be an extra for a day.
'I was shocked, excited and very happy to hear the good news. Obviously I played the message back a few times before I returned the call! Once I digested the news I had a crazy hour telephoning friends, all of whom commented I was the ideal winner.'
Did you expect to win the competition?
'I did have a feeling I would win. I know it sounds unreal but it's the truth! I entered one evening, the following morning at work I joked with Lee Moffatt (big fan) that I was going to win the Shameless competition. I also told him to go and enter.'
Describe your day as an extra
'My day as a Shameless extra started at 8.30am with breakfast in the canteen with cast and crew. Immediately, I felt at home. It was a friendly bunch of people. At 9.15am I changed into my on-screen outfit and got checked by costume and make up ready for filming at 9.30am in the Jockey.
'The scene was a nice long Frank rant and I played one of the locals in the pub. It was exciting to see first-hand the filming style and hard work that goes into perfecting a scene. My chaperone for the day was Helen Otter from Channel 4 who shadowed me on and off set trying to capture every moment of my day as an extra.
'In the afternoon, after a late lunch, other extras arrived for The Jockey school disco. It was a lively, energetic, fun scene. I played a school girl and I thoroughly enjoyed it even though it was hot and hectic.
'Would I do it all over again? Absolutely 100% yes. The day was superb, very memorable, I would say it has zoomed into my top 10 best ever days out. I really look forward to seeing my face amongst the Chatsworth Estate Buccaneers!'
What was your best bit?
'In the morning, during a break from filming in The Jockey I was introduced to David Threlfall who was in character as Frank Gallagher. I had a chat and a photograph session with him, I got to touch his coat! He's mesmerising.'
Which other bits did you enjoy?
'Spending lots of time in The Jockey soaking up the atmosphere. Meeting the regular extras and hearing their stories, especially John Groom. Having my photograph taken with different Shameless characters. Dancing at The Jockey disco whilst Lillian spanked customers for 50p.'
Who is your favourite Shameless character?
'That's a difficult question, I admire them all. In first place it would have to be Frank Gallagher, second place Mickey Maguire.'
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