Filming for Mrs Brown’s Boys was halted (Image: BBC Studios / Elaine Livingston)
Filming of Mrs Brown’s Boys had to be paused after Brendan O’Carroll made a racist joke.
The Irish comedian, 69, implied the use of the N-word during a rehearsal for the popular sitcom’s Christmas special back in October.
During a script read-through while in character, O’Carroll reportedly started to joke: “I don’t call a spade a spade, I call a spade a…” before beginning to pronounce the offensive term.
He was then interrupted by another actor who was also in character.
A spokesperson for O’Carroll said at the time: “We would also like to clarify that the “n” word was absolutely not spoken, it was implied. Agnes (Mrs Brown) began the word but was stopped from finishing it by her daughter Cathy, as she knew she would be.”
O’Carroll, known for portraying the brash lead character Agnes Brown, offered an apology after his comment led to a inquiry.
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Brendan O’Carroll apologised for the joke (Image: Getty Images)
He said: “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.”
Expressing his regret, O’Carroll added: “It backfired and caused offence which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised.”
The halted rehearsals momentarily to look into the matter, but activities recommenced in Glasgow at their Pacific Quay studios, while broadcast plans remained unaffected.
A spokesperson said: “Whilst we don’t comment on individuals, the is against all forms of racism, and we have robust processes in place should issues ever arise.”
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O’Carroll is best known for portraying the brash lead character Agnes Brown (Image: SCU)
He said: “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.”
Expressing his regret, O’Carroll added: “It backfired and caused offence which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised.”
The halted rehearsals momentarily to look into the matter, but activities recommenced in Glasgow at their Pacific Quay studios, while broadcast plans remained unaffected.
A spokesperson said: “Whilst we don’t comment on individuals, the is against all forms of racism, and we have robust processes in place should issues ever arise.”