BBC’s Mrs Brown’s Boys has won multiple awards since airing in 2011 and has since signed a deal with the broadcaster to produce festive specials for Christmas day until 2026
Mrs Brown’s Boys first launched in 2011 and became a rating sensation with up to 12 million viewers following the antics of Agnes Brown.
Mrs Brown, the loud-mouthed Irish matriarch is played by creator Brendan O’Carroll and the rest of the cast is filled with his close friends and family.
The BBC sitcom follows Agnes who loves to meddle in the lives of her six children.
The popular series has won multiple awards including a BAFTA for Best Situation Comedy, a TV Choice Award for best comedy, and won at the National Television Awards for three consecutive years in 2013, 2014 and 2015 for Best Comedy.
However, since airing Mrs Brown’s Boys has faced several controversies over the years.
Ratings drop
Stars of Mrs Brown’s Boys fear the BBC comedy is on the verge of being taken off air after figures plunged by around a third.
The outrageous Irish show has seen ratings slump and cast members are worried its days are numbered.
One telly insider told us: “There is a feeling among some of the cast that the show is not going to run for much longer.
“The ratings are down and it feels like viewers are getting tired of it.
“For many of the cast, this show is their main source of income, so it’s nerve-racking to think about it ending. But they are trying to be realistic.”
Since, gaining Christmas specials on 25th December at prime time after first airing, the show signed a deal with BBC that they will produce a festive special until 2026.
‘Murky’ behind the scenes
Gary Hollywood who plays Dino Doyle in the series quit the show in the autumn after years of tension behind the scenes.
It is reported the star quit after a row over pay.
In an interview, he declared he is glad to be off the show.
He said: “I’m getting on with my life. I’m out of the show now and to be honest, I am glad in a sense.
“I feel free from all the murkiness and what it is becoming.
“It’s very strange to not be on the show after 10 years of doing Christmas specials. People have been very supportive and asking if I’m okay.
“We have all grown up together. We have shared in success. So I don’t know why this had to turn out dirty and murky. It feels like a bad divorce.”
Brendan O’Carroll sued
Mrs Brown’s Boys actor Brendan O’Carroll was sued by formed co-star Gary Hollywood, who played Dino Doyle.
Brendan faced claims of constructive dismissal and workplace discrimination after a row over pay.
Gary who quit the sitcom, said: “I feel I wasn’t being paid equally and I wasn’t being given an explanation for decisions. When I tried to resolve it, nothing was done. I was just disregarded.
“But I won’t put up with it any more. I won’t be treated like that. This has gone too far. They shouldn’t do this to people.”
Gary, was convinced he was paid less than his co-stars for spin-off show All Round To Mrs Brown’s.
He added: “I do feel there is bullying going on there because when that happens, you feel like you can’t speak up about stuff.
“I’ve known Brendan for 20 years. I very much looked at him as a mentor and I had a lot of respect for him. I always thought he had my back.
“But then the door shut and all I got from Brendan was a single text that said I was out of [a festive episode]. That hurt. Why did he not pick up the phone? This is extremely sad for me.
“This is a man who has been a father figure for me. I expected more. I was discarded.”
‘Worse year of his life’
Gary Hollywood, known for his role as Dino Doyle, admitted to mentally struggling last year following his exit from Mrs Brown’s Boys and his traumatic family situation.
Gary played the hairdresser from 2004 until 2020 until he was axed last year.
The actor later quit his role from the acclaimed BBC sitcom following the payment-fuelled dispute, Gary was also carrying the agony of losing his brother and the anxiety of his son’s premature birth.
He told OK! Magazine: “It’s absolutely been the worst year of my life.”
He added: “I’ve felt depressed – it was one thing after another.
“As a man, you’re told to ‘man up’, which makes things worse.”
The star lost his brother Gerard after he had been in the hospital and was given the all clear from the Covid-19 virus, before suffering from two heart attacks shortly after his release.
“It still doesn’t make it any less painful, though, especially when you realise as time goes on that you’ll never truly get over the loss of a sibling,” Gary explained.
The star also had to deal with the traumatic birth of his premature son, Ollie.
“He came a month early and weighed just over 5lb,” Gary said.
He added: “He was jaundiced and in an incubator, so we couldn’t hold him, which was heart breaking.
“But he’s thriving now and that’s the main thing.”
Co-star couple split after 15 years
Fiona O’Carroll has split from husband of 15 years Martin Delany, who she co-starred with in the hit sitcom.
The acting pair play in-laws Maria Brown and Trevor Brown in the BBC comedy series started dating in their teens before tying the knot in 2006.
She revealed: “We wanted different things. I still have a lot of love for him and I only want the best for him and I think he feels the same way about me.
“There were no major fights, and nobody else was involved but it was a case of not being on the same page any longer.”
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