Brendan O’Carroll, star of Mrs Brown’s Boys, is facing backlash after making a controversial remark during rehearsals for the BBC show’s upcoming Christmas special.
Story Summary:
- Mrs Brown’s Boys actor Brendan O’Carroll apologised after making a racial remark during rehearsals for the show’s Christmas special, which led to a brief pause in production.
- The BBC launched an investigation into the incident, resuming rehearsals after O’Carroll’s apology.
- This controversy has reignited discussions about a previous incident involving a racially insensitive comment made by O’Carroll about Tyler Perry during a 2022 interview.
‘Mrs Brown’s Boys’ racist furore: The ‘joke’ that’s causing a row
The 69-year-old actor issued an apology after what he described as a “clumsy” joke, which he acknowledged implied a racial term and caused offence.
The BBC momentarily halted rehearsals to investigate the incident, but production has since resumed at the Pacific Quay studios in Glasgow, and the show is set to air as planned.
In his statement to Sky News, O’Carroll expressed regret over the remark, saying:
“It backfired and caused offence, which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised.”
While the BBC has not commented directly on the individual incident, it reiterated its strong stance against racism, affirming that it has robust processes to address such situations.
This isn’t the first time O’Carroll has faced accusations of racism.
In 2022, he stirred controversy during an appearance on The One Show, where he made a racially insensitive remark about American filmmaker Tyler Perry.
While discussing the possibility of Perry appearing on Mrs Brown’s Boys, O’Carroll commented that they had not had “anyone of his colour” on the show, a remark that shocked many viewers.
The comment resurfaced following the latest controversy, reigniting discussions about O’Carroll’s perceived insensitivity.
Although Perry later defended O’Carroll, stating that his comments should be viewed in the context of comedy, many found the remark uncomfortable.
Viewers took to social media to express their disapproval, describing the incident as “wrong on so many levels.”
Despite these controversies, Mrs Brown’s Boys remains a popular comedy series.