The BBC has insisted it is “against all forms of racism”, yet rehearsals for Mrs Brown’s Boys’ forthcoming Christmas and New Year specials are still ongoing. Why?

Suddenly it isn’t a debate any more about whether so-called comedy Mrs Brown’s Boys is actually funny.

Suddenly it is about whether, in the BBC’s eyes, some of their celebrities remain above the law, despite all the talk this week about an independent review of workplace culture. Suddenly it is about whether the station’s so-called “robust processes” are actually fit for purpose.

Because if an actor believes he or she can actually get away with using the term ‘spade’ and implying the N-word, then perhaps broadcasting is not for them. Nor is it for an executive who believes everything can carry on regardless. The term ‘spade’ itself is among the BBC’s own editorial guidelines, updated in May 2022, outlining what constitutes racist language. It remains a derogatory term for someone who is Black.

So even though the first part of O’Carroll’s attempt at improvising (I’m not calling it a joke) could be defended as a justified idiom, the second part is problematic – even without the use of the N-word. As usual, the talk is cheap. The BBC has breathlessly insisted it is “against all forms of racism”, yet rehearsals for Mrs Brown’s Boys’ forthcoming Christmas and New Year specials are still ongoing. Why?

And why, when a Black member of staff would rather quit than continue working on a show where such an incident can be glossed over with a stock clarification and a warning, does the BBC still not appreciate the seriousness of this situation? What will it take to address that employee’s concerns?

If you don’t yet know what the fuss is about, it’s this: During a reading of the script while in character as matriarch Agnes Brown on the show, O’Carroll is understood to have improvised, saying: ‘’I don’t call a spade a spade, I call a spade a….” He is alleged to have then started to say the N-word before being prevented from using the final syllable by a co-star.

Bafta-winning Brendan admitted on Tuesday: “There was a clumsy attempt at a joke, where a racial term was implied. It backfired and caused offence, which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised.” Unless he believed he was in a time machine and had travelled back to the days when racist sitcoms were standard, prime time fare on British television, O’Carroll’s explanation cuts little ice.

Acknowledging the exclusive broken this week by the Mirror’s Head of Showbiz, Tom Bryant, a BBC spokesperson said: “While 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.” But exactly what are those “robust processes”? And if they actually mean anything, why did the BBC – in its initial statements on the incident – not acknowledge the severity of the offensive slur?

Also why, when there are clearly questions around the culture within MBB, does the Beeb feel it is appropriate to continue filming? Because O’Carroll would appear to have that kind of “clumsy line” in his locker, given his 2022 appearance alongside Black US actor Tyler Perry on The One Show.