The incident caused production of the show to be suspended
The ‘racist remark’ that halted filming on Mrs Brown’s Boys has been revealed following a BBC investigation.
This week, it was reported that a comment from series creator and star Brendan O’Carroll during a script read-through had prompted an investigation from BBC bosses.
It’s been reported that the remark in question saw the Irish comic ‘imply’ the N-word.
O’Carroll and the rest of the cast had been carrying out a script read-through for the upcoming Christmas specials.
The actor was in character when he is said to have commented: “I don’t call a spade a spade, I call a spade a…”
According to the Daily Mail, O’Carroll then started to utter the N-word before he was stopped by co-star Jennifer Gibney, who was also in character as his on-screen daughter, Cathy.
In a statement shared with the publication on Tuesday night, a representative for O’Carroll said: “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.”
Production on the festive specials was halted as the BBC launched an investigation into the remark.
O’Carroll himself apologised on Monday for the incident, and filming has since resumed in Glasgow at the broadcaster’s Pacific Quay studios.
In a statement to the Mirror, the 69-year-old said the comment was intended as a joke but that it backfired.
It was reported by the Sun that a junior member of the production team was so “upset” by the comment that they walked out on the spot, and opted not to return to the show.
The Mrs Brown’s Boys festive specials have become a Christmas staple for many, with the show regularly being one of the most watched shows on Christmas Day.
This year, two specials will air on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, with the Christmas special set to be the 50th episode of the comedy.
Despite being panned by critics ever since it first aired in 2011, the show has built up a huge and devoted fan base, and recently won Best Comedy at the National Television Awards.
A fifth series has been commissioned by the BBC, with filming is set to begin in April 2025.
