Mrs Brown’s Boys was halted due to racism.
The beloved BBC show’s Christmas special was put to a stop after actor Brendan O’Carroll “implied” the N-word during rehearsals, reports the Daily Mail. The comedy show caused controversy after the lead star allegedly quipped: “I don’t call a spade a spade, I call a spade a…”
While playing Agnes Brown, O’Carroll allegedly “started to utter the N-word” before one of his co-stars, who was reportedly in character as Agnes’ daughter, “stopped” the Mrs Brown actor.
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Daily Mail reported that the star’s representative issued a statement following the allegations: “We would also like to clarify that the “N” word was absolutely not spoken, it was implied. Agnes (Mrs Brown) began the word but was stopped from finishing it by her daughter Cathy, as she knew she would be.”
(Image: BBC Studios / Elaine Livingstone)
This comes after news that O’Carroll issued an apology following a “clumsy joke” that sparked a racism investigation at the BBC. Brendan admitted that the joke “backfired” after a read-through of the 2024 Christmas episode, which resulted in halted rehearsals after BBC bosses were informed.
Brendan, 69, issued a statement to The Mirror regarding the comment and the investigation. He said: “At a read-through of the Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas special, 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.”
(Image: BBC / Alan Peebles)
A spokesperson for the BBC also released a statement: “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.”
Actors at the read-through were reported to have been shocked by the quip, as a source informed The Mirror that “the whole production was paused” and an “investigation carried out”.
The insider explained: “The entire cast and crew were stood down in the wake of the comment as the BBC tried to get to the bottom of it.” The rehearsals at BBC Scotland’s Pacific Quay studios are reportedly back up and running after O’Carroll issued his apology.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
