Shameless star’s drugs farm denial

FORMER Shameless and EastEnders star Jody Latham has denied running a cannabis factory.

The 29-year-old actor shot to fame playing “Lip” Gallagher in the Channel 4 comedy and has also appeared as pimp Rob Grayson in the BBC1 soap.

He is accused, along with girlfriend Sarah Melia, 31, of growing 24 cannabis plants – worth around £14,000 – at a house in the village of Stacksteads, Lancs, in May last year.

Latham, who lives in the nearby town of Bacup, will now face trial over the charge at Burnley Crown Court on Nov 16.

Latham has also starred in dramas The

Fixer and The Tudors and cooking reality show,

Hell’s Kitchen.

Jody said earlier this year he was facing bankruptcy.