MRS Brown’s Boys star Brendan O’Carroll has announced the show Christmas special and the tour has been axed as he revealed a medical issue that requires “immediate surgery.”
The 70-year-old Irishman has played Irish matriarch, Agnes Brown, on the BBC One comedy over five series which have aired since 2011.
Mrs Brown’s Boys first premiered on the BBC back in 2011 Credit: BBC
Most of the cast is made up of Brendan’s own friends and relatives Credit: PA
It means that the comedy, which last aired earlier this year, will now be on hold.
In a statement released today, Brendan said: “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.
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“Following a CT Scan, it was found that I had two fractures in my mandible (jaw) which requires immediate surgery and a few months recovery.
“I am talking with the BBC about getting Mrs. Brown’s Boys back on the screen in 2027.
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“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 show for 2027. I would like to thank MCD and the BBC for their support and understanding at this difficult time.”
He continued: “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!”
A BBC spokesperson said: “We wish Brendan a full and speedy recovery and are working with him on plans for Mrs Brown’s Boys in 2027.”
Mrs Brown’s boys first appeared on an Irish station in 1992, and then in a series of books written by Brendan.
Following it’s book and later film success it was developed into DVD’s and a touring stage play in which he played the lead Mrs Brown.
The Beeb picked up the show in 2010 after producer Stephen McCrum caught one of the live stage shows in Glasgow.
It then premiered in the early 2010s with a live audience format, which it has kept to this day.
The series tells the story of a family living in Dublin, headed by Mrs Brown.
Most of the characters are made up of Brendan’s own friends and relatives.
While Brendan, born in 1955, is the main star he’s also the show’s creator, lead writer, and executive producer.
It has been a highly divisive show, held up by traditionalists as an example of how old school comedy is still popular with viewers, while more sophisticated critics highlight it as a the ultimate vestige of an era of telly which should be forgotten.
In the early years it had huge viewing figures more recently they have dipped, and the show has been reduced to a selection of specials, usually airing over the festive period.
Along with numerous festive specials, there are currently five series with the last having wrapped up in 2025.
Last year Brendan denied rumours that he was ill.
Speaking exclusively to The Jattvibe, he said: “None of this is fing true. I am as healthy as f**k.
“I have never felt better….and if I do die, it will be on stage and not in a hospital.”
The rumours are said to have started when someone pretending to be Brendan’s son, Danny, posted on social media that the star was seriously ill in hospital, even following up with an AI-generated image of Brendan in a hospital bed wearing an oxygen mask.
Brendan said: “It wasn’t Danny, it was somebody posing as Danny. I do genuinely feel sorry for reporters, you have your work cut out for you with stuff like this happening.”
He added: “I will keep doing it for as long as they want to. The BBC have indicated they want me to go on after next Christmas, and if I do, I will sign a one-year contract at a time.”
