Mrs. Brown's Boys' 2026 Christmas and New Year's specials axed as Brendan O'Carroll needs 'immediate surgery'
Mrs. Brown's Boys creator Brendan O'Carroll needs "immediate surgery", and he has been advised to cancel the show's 2026 Christmas and New Year's specials and its stage production.
Mrs. Brown's Boys creator Brendan O'Carroll needs "immediate surgery" to fix two jaw fractures, forcing him to axe the show's 2026 Christmas and New Year's specials and its stage production.
The 70-year-old comedian, who plays foul-mouthed Agnes Brown in the BBC sitcom and its touring shows, is "heartbroken" to have pulled this year's specials and D’Panto? shows at 3 Arena Dublin and Gleneagle Arena as he focuses on a recovery that could take "a few months".
In a statement, 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.
"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 of 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."
Mrs. Brown's Boys began in 2011, and it follows matriarch Agnes Brown, who relishes interfering with the lives, as well as digging out the secrets, of her family and friends.
Many viewers have called for the BBC to axe the sitcom, which, for the 2024 Christmas Day special, only raked in 2.2 million viewers, compared to the 11.5 million people who tuned into the sitcom's first festive special in 2013.
Some people have shared their disgruntled views on Mrs. Brown's Boys on X, including one person saying it is "the most idiotic show on TV throughout the past decade".
However, the programme - now reduced to specials that are usually broadcast at Christmas time - is still proving popular, as Jon Petrie, the BBC's Director of Comedy, said in July 2025 that it is one of the corporation's "most-watched comedies ever".
And that has encouraged Brendan to keep writing more episodes of Mrs. Brown's Boys, which wrapped its fifth series last year.
He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "As long as the BBC keeps saying, 'Make it,' I will keep making it."
He thinks the secret to the sitcom's longevity is how "simple" the storylines are.
Brendan said: "I think it's a simple show. I think it's not trying to be clever, it's just trying to make people laugh. That's it."
Jon is proud of Mrs. Brown's Boys.
In July 2025, he told the British Comedy Guide: "Brendan has created an iconic comedy character in Agnes Brown.
"Mrs. Brown's Boys is a BAFTA-winning comedy show and one of the BBC's most-watched comedies ever ... I'm proud to have it in the BBC Comedy stable."
Mrs. Brown's Boys won the National Television Award for Best Comedy in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020, and 2024; however, it lost out to the BBC's Gavin and Stacey last year.
