Gary Hollywood responds to recent Mrs Brown’s Boys controversy and if he’ll return to show

For 20 years, fans of Mrs Brown’s Boys got to watch Gary Hollywood play Dino Doyle on the hit comedy show, however, the actor stepped back from the role in 2019

Gary Hollywood was a frequent face for fans of Mrs Brown’s Boys after he played the much loved Scottish hairdresser Dino Doyle.

People first met Dino and his verruca 20 years ago as the colleague of Agnes Brown’s son Rory, with the hairdressers later tying the knot.

However, he stepped back from the role in 2019 leaving many viewers wondering if they can expect him back in any of the annual Christmas or New Year’s episodes.

Cast and crew of Mrs Browns Boys including Brendan O'Carroll, Jennifer Gibney, Rory Cowan, Gary Hollywood and Danny O'Corroll pose with their Best Comedy Award in front of the winners boards at the National Television Awards 2014 on January 22, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) — Cast and crew of Mrs Browns Boys including Brendan O’Carroll, Jennifer Gibney, Rory Cowan, Gary Hollywood and Danny O’Corroll pose with their Best Comedy Award in front of the winners boards at the National Television Awards 2014 on January 22, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

Gary reflected on his two decades with Mrs Brown’s Boys and admitted that while he has good memories, the door has closed on that period of his life.

“It’s firmly in the past,” he told OK! “I’m grateful for the good memories and enjoyed it while it lasted, but I’ve moved on.

“It was 20 years of my life and a huge chapter of it, so I just take the good memories with the not-so-good ones.”

During a recent script read-through of the hit comedy show, creator and Agnes actor Brendan O’Carroll allegedly made a racial joke where he began uttering the N-word before being interrupted by his wife Jennifer Gibney.

Former Mrs Brown's Boys star Gary Hollywood (Image: Instagram) — Former Mrs Brown’s Boys star Gary Hollywood (Image: Instagram)

Following reports of the incident, Brendan commented on the episode in an official statement released.

He said: “At a read-through of the ‘Mrs Brown’s Boys’ Christmas specials, there was a clumsy attempt at a joke, where a racial term was implied.”

He added: “It backfired and caused offence, which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised.”

A spokesperson also told the Daily Mail: “We would also like to clarify that the ‘n’ word was absolutely not spoken, it was implied.”

Adding an explanation, they said, “Agnes [Mrs Brown] began the word but was stopped from finishing it by her daughter Cathy, as she knew she would be.”

Following the news, Gary was asked what he made about the controversy.

He responded: “Let’s just say I’m staying in my own lane when it comes to that one. I’m too busy enjoying life with [my sons] Ollie, Carter and [wife] Cherylanne. I’ve also got a lovely Scottish fairy tale film called Faithful coming out too.”