Mrs Brown’s Boys is often a Christmas staple on BBC, but 2024 might be the year there’s a change to the schedule after the sitcom has become marred in controversy.

The BBC show began rehearsals for its upcoming Christmas and New Year’s Day specials when lead actor Brendan O’Carroll implied a racial slur whilst in character as Agnes Brown. It was reported by The Mirror that those in attendance for the read-through for cast and crew were shocked by the remark and shared their concerns with the BBC, and rehearsals were paused for the matter to be investigated.

O’Carroll shared a statement with PA: “At a read-through of the Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas specials, there was a clumsy attempt at a joke, in the character of Agnes, where a racial term was implied. It backfired and caused offence which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised.”

Mrs Brown’s Boys controversy explained

The Daily Mail reported that O’Carroll had implied a racial slur during a reading of the script, whilst playing Agnes the actor was stopped mid-sentence by on-screen daughter Cathy (Jennifer Gibney) as set out in the script. The BBC is reported to have paused production on the rehearsals for the festive specials afterwards.

In a statement to the Daily Mail, O’Carroll’s representative said: “We would like to clarify that the ‘N-word’ was absolutely not spoken, it was implied. Agnes began the word but was stopped from finishing it by her daughter Cathy, as she knew she would be.”

In a statement the BBC said of the incident: “Whilst we don’t comment on individuals, the BBC is against all forms of racism and we have robust processes in place should issues ever arise.”

The ramifications of O’Carroll’s implied remark have continued to draw controversy despite his apology, with it being reported by The Independent that a Black member of staff allegedly quit the show as a result of the comment.

The incident has led to debates on the matter, including whether Mrs Brown’s Boys is too outdated and out of touch with modern audiences to continue to air on BBC.

Retired ITN news anchor Sir Trevor McDonald has spoken out on the subject when asked about it in an interview by the Daily Mail: “I find it in every way crude and offensive and insulting. It couldn’t have been said without a desire to hurt and insult really. It’s not even funny.”

McDonald added that he “would probably have very harsh words with the person who said that and said the society and the community in which we live regards that sort of stuff as unnecessarily crude and offensive.”

What is happening to the Mrs Brown’s Boys 2024 Christmas Special?

Rehearsals have since resumed on Mrs Brown’s Boys at Pacific Quay studios in Glasgow after the BBC investigation.

It is understood that both the show’s Christmas Day and New Year Day’s specials are still scheduled to air on BBC One as usual this festive season. The former will mark the show’s 50th episode, though little is known about the plot and if it will make reference to the landmark episode.

The specials were announced in September, and it was also confirmed that the BBC had commissioned a fifth full series which is expected to begin filming in Spring 2025.

The BBC’s head of comedy, Jon Petrie, said: “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.”