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David Threlfall as the real Frank Gallagher

Unmistakable that is, unless you’re Alan Davies. Al is a Frank Gallagher impersonator and despite what you might think, the only thing he says that he’s finding difficult to get used to is the accent.

But then he would, as Alan is a Scouser! That hasn’t stopped him finding success as a Frank lookalike but how did a man from Kirkby end up playing the quintessential Mancunian?

"I have been a entertainer for years," explains Alan, "but people started telling me I looked like Frank, even with short hair. So I thought I’d give it a go. Work is starting to pick up, but I’m still looking for more gigs."

Alan meets Lip

Alan looks so much like Frank that he’s had people stop him the street, even when he’s been wearing his Gallagher-esque hair up in a ponytail. Not that it gets on his nerves – in fact, he says he’d recommend the life of a lookalike to anyone.

"It’s great. You get to meet some interesting and famous people. I’ve even met some of the cast from the show, including Frank’s son, Lip [actor Jody Latham]."

With another series of Shameless about to be filmed for Channel 4, chances are that Alan’s life as Frank won’t stop just yet. No doubt he’ll get even more classic Frank moments to work into his own act, but for him, there’s one classic scene that stands out above the rest.

Recreating that famous ice-cream van moment

"It has to be the ice cream van. I loved that one the most. But there’s loads more. And there’s loads more from me too. After all, I know how to throw a parteeeeeeeeeeeee!"

There’s little doubt that he does. With stag and hen nights booked up and some spoof DVDs on the way, Alan’s life as Frank is only just beginning. And if it did all go wrong, he says he knows exactly what to do.

"Scattaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"