Mrs Brown’s Boys creator Brendan O’Carroll has announced he will be unable to go ahead with this year’s festive specials on medical grounds.
Traditionally, the divisive comedy airs over both Christmas and New Year, but on Monday morning, Brendan shared that this would not be the case in 2026.
“It is with sincere regret I must announce that due to an unexpected medical issue I will have to cancel the recordings of the 2026 Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas and New Year’s Specials,” he wrote on Facebook.
“Following a CT Scan, it was found that I had two fractures in my mandible (jaw) which require immediate surgery and a few months recovery.”
He continued: “I am talking with the BBC about getting Mrs Brown’s Boys back on the screen in 2027.
“I will sadly have to postpone both the 3 Arena Dublin and Gleneagle Arena shows Mrs Brown’s Boys D’Panto, which were scheduled for later this year. We are currently working with MCD to try to reschedule these shows for 2027. I would like to thank MCD and the BBC for their support and understanding at this difficult time.”
BBC Studios / BOC / Graeme Hunter
He added: “This decision has not been taken lightly and has been made on medical advice from my consultant. To say I am heartbroken is an absolute understatement. I would like to sincerely apologise to all our fans who were looking forward to seeing the shows and for any disappointment caused.
“I now need to focus on getting myself back to full health, and I genuinely cannot wait to see you all again in 2027. Our fans mean the world to us, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support and trust me, Agnes Brown and her family will be back!”
Mrs Brown’s Boys specials have been airing annually on the BBC since 2011, the year the sitcom launched.
Since then, it has also inspired a spin-off talk show, All Round To Mrs Brown’s, and two films, including a cross-over with Tyler Perry’s character Medea.
Back in 2024, the show landed in hot water when rehearsals for one Christmas special were briefly paused due to an “implied” racist term.
“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 at the time.
“It backfired and caused offence which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised.”
