Brendan O’Carroll says he ‘deeply regrets clumsy line’ after making a ‘racist’ joke during rehearsals for the Christmas specials of Mrs Brown’s Boys.
The Irish comedian, 69, was in the role of Agnes Brown when he made the offensive remark that ‘backfired’ and ’caused offence.’
Bosses were alerted to the insult, and the BBC suspended the broadcast to begin an inquiry.
Last night, O’Carroll apologised as he told The Mirror: ‘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.
‘It backfired and caused offence, which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised.’
Since then, the broadcaster’s Pacific Quay studios in Glasgow have seen a resumption of rehearsals, and the shows are proceeding according to schedule.
A source told The Mirror that cast and crew were stood down while the corporation ‘tried to get to the bottom of it’.
In the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day specials, O’Carroll, the creator and star of Mrs. Brown’s Boys, will reprise his role as Agnes Brown, the naughty matriarch.
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.’
Mrs. Brown’s Boys made a comeback for a four-part series last year.
Even though the episodes have been a staple of Christmas programming for over ten years, this was the first mini-series shown since 2013.
It comes after it was announced that O’Carroll will star in the new BBC sitcom Shedites which will touch on ‘men’s mental health’ and is due to hit screens by ‘the fall’.
The 86-year-old legendary comedian Tommy Cannon, who performed in The Cannon and Ball Show before, will play the title role in the new BBC show.
O’Carroll told The Sun: ‘It’s using comedy to touch on men’s mental health. The BBC loved the pilot. Hopefully, it will be out in the fall.’
It follows last month’s National Television Award for Best Comedy victory for Mrs Brown’s Boys.
And following the win O’Carroll revealed he has accepted that Mrs Brown’s Boys is ‘marmite’ television.
The comedian created the role as part of a radio play in the early 1990s, and she has been the title matriarch in the long-running BBC sitcom for over 14 years.
Mrs Brown’s Boys is like Marmite, you either love it or hate it. I love it and if I’m having a bad day, on goes Mrs Brown’s Boys and by the time I’ve finished watching it, I’m in hysterics.
It’s not to everyone’s taste, but where do you draw the line? This country is becoming dull and sterile, but I love edgy comedy, it appeals to my sick sense of humour, but if you don’t like it, then don’t watch it, it’s really that simple.
The thing is, what might be funny to one person might not be funny to another and that’s fine. If it’s not your poison then don’t drink it!
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 