The enduring presence of Mrs Brown's Boys on the BBC's Christmas Day lineup has ignited fresh controversy this year, following a damaging racial slur incident involving its creator and star, Brendan O'Carroll, in late 2024. Critics argue the broadcaster's continued support for the show sends a troubling message about its commitment to tackling racism and protecting staff.
A Controversial Christmas Staple
For many, the broad, slapstick humour of Mrs Brown's Boys – featuring O'Carroll as the swearing Dublin matriarch Agnes Brown – is a festive tradition. For others, it is a critical punchline, frequently dubbed one of the worst comedies ever made. The show relies heavily on pratfalls, a canned laughter track, and expletive-laden dialogue, a formula that leaves a significant portion of viewers cold. Despite this divided reception, it consistently secures a prime slot in the Christmas schedules, drawing millions of viewers.
However, the show's place in the festive canon was thrown into serious doubt in October 2024. During rehearsals, O'Carroll, while improvising in character, made a quip that alluded to a deeply offensive racial term. Reports state he began to say, "I don't call a spade a spade, I call a spade a—", before starting to utter the N-word and being interrupted by another cast member.
The Fallout from a 'Clumsy Joke'
The immediate consequence was significant. A Black junior member of the production team reportedly quit the show in the wake of the incident. The BBC launched an internal investigation. O'Carroll issued a statement expressing deep regret, calling it a "clumsy attempt at a joke" made in character that had backfired and caused offence.
At the time, many believed this scandal would be the final nail in the coffin for Mrs Brown's Boys. In an era where such comments are widely understood to be unacceptable red lines, the public and media backlash was swift. Calls to axe the show proliferated across social media. Yet, within a short period, rehearsals resumed. Not only did the Christmas special air that December, but the show also returned for a fifth series in August 2025 and features again in this year's festive schedule with a two-part special.
A BBC spokesperson stated: "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."
A Pattern of Problematic Behaviour and a Lack of Diversity
This was not O'Carroll's first controversial remark regarding race. In a 2022 cameo in Tyler Perry's *A Madea Homecoming*, a scene played on the misunderstanding that Mrs Brown was saying the N-word instead of "knickers". Furthermore, in an interview that same year, when asked if Perry would appear on his show, O'Carroll remarked, "He’s very expensive and so far we haven’t had anybody his colour in there," while gesturing towards Perry's face.
This admission highlighted a stark lack of diversity within the cast of Mrs Brown's Boys, making the 2024 incident even more disturbing. The episode presents a clear case of a corporation appearing to protect a big-name star at the expense of a junior employee, whose career was directly impacted.
The BBC's decision to continue broadcasting the show is seen by many as a failure of accountability. As the national broadcaster funded by the public, it is expected to uphold the highest standards and foster trust. By maintaining its association with a show mired in such controversy, it raises questions about who the corporation truly represents and whether it takes allegations of racism seriously.
Ultimately, while Mrs Brown's Boys will once again provoke laughter in some living rooms this Christmas, for others, the most unfunny joke of all is that the BBC continues to give it a platform.
