MRS Brown’s Boys star Brendan O’Carroll was forced to miss the comedy’s triumphant night at the NTAs after having surgery in Florida.
The long-running BBC show was crowned best comedy, but the face of the show, Brendan, was nowhere to be seen when the cast took to the stage to collect the award.
Mrs Brown’s Boys won the Comedy award at the National Television Awards 2026 Credit: Getty
Fiona Gibney said Brendan O’Carroll had FaceTimed the cast Credit: Getty
Instead, the audience was told the 70-year-old was recovering in the States after going under the knife just weeks after it was revealed he’d broken his jaw and the scheduled Christmas special had been cancelled.
Accepting the award on his behalf, a crew member said: “Brendan’s in Florida recovering from an operation so all love to you Brendan and get well soon. Behind every great man is a great woman, so love to Jenny as well.”
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In the winners’ room, show star Fiona Gibney said: “We are delighted especially as Brendan’s just had this operation – he FaceTimed to celebrate the win.
“He is doing well and he is very sad to not be here. It is one of his fave nights! But definitely we will be back in the new year.
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Brendan as comedy favourite Mrs Brown Credit: BBC Studios / Kirsty Anderson
The 70-year-old is in Florida after having surgery Credit: Getty
“The NTAs are so important to us as the public are voting and then on tour we get to meet the fans and they tell us how on Christmas day they get to sit down and enjoy the episode and it is sad how this year we won’t get that, but now it’s all about 2027.
“It is the best fun ever and we’ve been doing it 16 years.”
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 is the main star he’s also the show’s creator, lead writer, and executive producer.
Brendan previously said in a statement in August: “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.
“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.
“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.”
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.”
