Brendan O'Carroll, the Irish star of BBC One sitcom Mrs Brown's Boys, has apologized for making a "clumsy" joke where a "racial term was implied" during rehearsals for the series' upcoming Christmas special.
"It backfired and caused offence which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised," he told The Mirror newspaper.
Those present were said to have been "left shocked by the slur", The Mirror said, adding they "flagged it with the BBC afterwards". The corporation said it "acted immediately".
The BBC added: “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.”
The programme, first shown on BBC One in 2011, has had four series and has long been a fixture on the BBC's Christmas TV schedules.
It won a National TV Award last month for best comedy.
The slapstick show stars O'Carroll as a foul-mouthed Irish matriarch, who is "mammy" to her surrounding family and friends, who gather for laughter and tears in her kitchen and living room.
It has a pantomime theatricality to it, featuring shots of the audience and including moments when the actors corpse - a term used to describe breaking character and laughing - and ad-lib on stage.
Last month, at the National TV Awards, O'Carroll told The Sun: "It’s hard to believe this Christmas Day episode will be our 50th episode."
He added: "I think we’re going to be doing another mini series for April, but whenever the BBC broadcast them."
Speaking about the award, he told the newspaper it was "tremendous, to get this award is our sixth".
"It’s voted for by the audience and viewers. This is the icing on the cake it’s amazing," he added.
Although it is not necessarily a universal hit with TV critics, the show has proved to be an enduring success with its fans.
Dick Fiddy, archive TV programmer at the BFI, told the BBC in 2020 he thought it "thrived in the gulf between critics and audiences... because there's a certain section of the audience that feels disenfranchised by modern comedy; an audience that enjoyed the broad, double entendre comedy of On The Buses and Are You Being Served?"
O'Carroll has said the success of the show has been, at least in part, down to an audience" that has felt "left behind", as TV comedy has evolved and changed.
The Impact of the Incident
The incident has sparked a debate about the role of comedy in society and the importance of holding comedians accountable for their words. Some have argued that O'Carroll's joke was simply a clumsy attempt at humor, while others have condemned it as racist and offensive.
The BBC's decision to suspend production of the show and launch an investigation is a sign of the seriousness with which they are taking the matter. The fact that rehearsals have since resumed suggests that the BBC is satisfied with O'Carroll's apology and that they are confident that the show will be able to continue.
However, the incident is likely to cast a shadow over the upcoming Christmas special. It is a reminder that even the most popular of shows can be tarnished by controversy.
The Future of Mrs Brown’s Boys
It remains to be seen whether this incident will have a lasting impact on the future of Mrs Brown's Boys. The show has a loyal following, and it is likely that many fans will continue to watch it. However, the incident has also raised questions about the show's future and whether it can continue to be successful in an increasingly diverse and sensitive world.
The BBC's decision to commission a fifth series suggests that they are confident in the show's future. However, the BBC will need to be careful to ensure that the show remains sensitive to the concerns of its audience.
The incident is also a reminder that the world of comedy is constantly evolving. What might have been acceptable in the past is no longer acceptable today. Comedians need to be aware of this and to be careful to avoid language that could be considered offensive or hurtful.
The future of Mrs Brown's Boys is uncertain. The show has a strong following, but it will need to adapt to the changing times if it wants to remain successful.
Mrs Brown’s Boys: A Lasting Legacy
Despite the recent controversy, Mrs Brown’s Boys is a show that has brought laughter to millions of viewers around the world. The show’s success is testament to O'Carroll's talent as a writer and performer, and it has helped to cement his place as one of Ireland’s most popular entertainers.
The show has also helped to raise awareness of Irish culture and has been praised for its portrayal of a strong, independent woman in the form of Agnes Brown.
Mrs Brown’s Boys is a show that has both entertained and divided audiences. However, it is a show that has left an indelible mark on British television, and it is likely to continue to be a part of our cultural landscape for many years to come.
