BBC Mrs Brown's Boys star under 'investigation' after 'clumsy' joke 'backfired'

Brendan O'Carroll has issued an apology for a 'clumsy' joke which sparked a racism investigation while rehearsals were temporarily suspended.

Mrs Brown’s Boys star Brendan O’Carroll has been embroiled in a BBC racism probe after a "clumsy joke backfired". Brendan O'Carroll has issued an apology for a 'clumsy' joke which sparked a racism investigation while rehearsals were temporarily suspended.

Mrs Brown's Boys was at the centre of a racism probe after the Irish comedian, 69, used the offensive term during a read-through of the special with cast and crew last Wednesday. The BBC ordered an urgent investigation meaning that rehearsals for the Christmas special were temporarily suspended.

Tonight Brendan told the Mirror: “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. It backfired and caused offence which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised.”

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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.” It comes after O’Carroll landed a new sitcom called Shedites, starring legendary funnyman Tommy Cannon.

Brendan said: “It’s using comedy to touch on men’s mental health. The BBC loved the pilot. Hopefully it will be out in the fall.” The 30-minute pilot was shot in April after several years of development. It was written by Paddy Houlihan, who co-writes Mrs Brown's Boys with O'Carroll, and stars as Dermot.

He added: "I've been advocating for the BBC to make this show for a long time because as well as being really funny, it ­highlights men's mental health. It's not something men talk about, but it's got easier because of the men's shed movement which has sprung up in UK and Ireland.

"There's a kitchen, a card table and all that but even more important, men can go there and talk through their problems."