Brendan O’Carroll has apologised over a “clumsy” joke where a “racial term was implied” during rehearsals for the upcoming Christmas special of Mrs Brown’s Boys.
The BBC temporarily paused rehearsals to investigate the incident, which have since resumed in Glasgow at the broadcaster’s Pacific Quay studios in Scotland – with shows going ahead as planned, as first reported by the Mirror newspaper.
Mrs Brown’s Boys creator and star O’Carroll will return to his role as mischievous matriarch Agnes Brown in the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day specials.
“At a read-through of the Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas specials, there was a clumsy attempt at a joke, in the character of Agnes, where a racial term was implied,” O’Carroll said in a statement.
The Apprentice: Irish contestants feature in new season but how long can the show keep going?
Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+: 10 of the best new shows to watch in February
Ray D’Arcy conjures up a Storm Éowyn image that would leave anyone feeling disconcerted
Russell Brand: BBC apologises after staff felt ‘unable to raise’ complaints about presenter
“It backfired and caused offence which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “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.”
Last year, Mrs Brown’s Boys returned for a four-part series.
Despite being a regular feature on Christmas schedules for more than a decade, the episodes marked the first miniseries run since 2013. – PA
