Brendan O’Carroll and Tommy Cannon have recorded a pilot for a new BBC comedy focusing on men’s friendship and mental health, British Comedy Guide have revealed.

The 30-minute non-tx pilot was written by O’Carroll’s Mrs Brown Boy’s co-writer Paddy Houlihan and produced by BBC Studios. Brendan O’Carroll stars as ‘Jimmy’ with Cannon as his best friend.

Speaking to the Irish Sun in December, O’Carroll said: “I’ve been advocating for the BBC to make this show for a long time because as well as being really funny, it ­highlights men’s mental health. It’s not something men talk about, but it’s got easier because of the men’s shed movement which has sprung up in UK and Ireland…”

Meanwhile, the BBC earlier this year confirmed that Mrs Brown’s Boys will return for two more festive specials, expected to air on Christmas Day 2024 and New Year’s Day 2025 respectively.

The next episode, expected to be the Christmas special, will be the show’s 50th episode. A continuing hit, last year’s two festive specials 4.07m and 3.26m respectively.

The BBC’s head of comedy, Jon Petrie, said (via British Comedy Guide): “Brendan has created an iconic comedy character in Agnes Brown. Mrs. Brown’s Boys is a BAFTA-winning comedy show and one of the BBC’s most-watched comedies ever… I’m proud to have it in the BBC Comedy stable.”

Last year’s Christmas special saw Mrs Brown want a nice, peaceful Christmas, but the family have other ideas! Cathy’s decided to cook Christmas dinner for the first time ever, a sentimental decoration has gone missing and a surprise dinner guest all have the potential to ruin Agnes’ quiet Christmas.

Mrs Brown’s Boys airs on BBC One. Stream previous episodes on BBC iPlayer.