Now rest of UK can marvel at The Scheme

The Scheme, first screened by the BBC north of the Border, sparked controversy after the series had to be halted when one of the characters became subject to court proceedings.

Now the BBC has announced it will be shown across England, Wales and Northern Ireland this week, but with subtitles.

The show, set in the Onthank council estate in Kilmarnock, became a hit with viewers in Scotland.

Among the most popular characters were residents Marvin Baird, James McMurray and the Cunningham family.

Viewers keenly followed the life of "lovable junkie" Marvin, with then girlfriend Dayna and his dog Bullet, who became a star. It showed how residents battled issues such as drugs, crime and unemployment.

An insider said: "There are plenty of people in Scotland who struggled to understand the likes of Marvin, Dayna and James. Think of the trouble the people in the Home Counties will have."

Baird, 31, had previously criticised the attention the show had brought him and threatened to move away to avoid it.

However, he has now welcomed the news about the UK broadcast, saying: "We're now staying in Scotland so we don't care who sees it."

A BBC Scotland source said: "The Scheme generated a huge reaction. It raised issues of relevance across the UK."

The show returned to Scottish screens last month after one of the stars of the show, Steven McMurray, 17, was jailed for mugging a schoolboy.