Emmy Rossum returning to Shameless following pay dispute

Emmy Rossum has struck a deal to return for an eighth season of hit show Shameless following a pay dispute earlier this month (Dec16).

In the hit U.S. version of the British comedy drama, William H. Macy and Rossum play father and daughter, and the Oscar-nominated star, 66, recently renegotiated his pay deal with production bosses at Warner Bros., increasing his salary, which was already more than the rest of the cast.

The news of his hike prompted Emmy to take another look at her own contract, and she urged TV bosses to pay her the same salary as her TV dad.

The 30-year-old subsequently stepped up her demands and was reportedly seeking a deal for a higher wage per episode than Macy. Sources insisted Rossum could walk away from the show if her demands weren't met, but it seems negotiations have gone well because the actress has announced she will be returning to the show for a new season.

"Playing Fiona Gallagher has been one of the great privileges of my life," she writes on Twitter. "I'm so happy to continue w (with) my SHAMELESS family!Back to work in May!"

Macy gave his co-star his backing earlier this week (ends16Dec16), insisting equal pay is long overdue.

Discussing the history of America's Equal Rights Amendment, which was first proposed to Congress in 1923, he told TMZ.com, "It didn't get passed by both houses of Congress until 1972, (and) it still hasn't been approved by all the states, therefore it didn't make it as an amendment to the Constitution (in 1982). About f**king time, don't you think?"

He then addressed the Shameless contract issue directly, stating Emmy should be paid at least as much as he receives.

"She works as hard as I do, she deserves everything," he explained, before quipping, "The only thing I've got over Emmy Rossum is, I'm better looking!"