A clip from a 2022 episode of The One Show has resurfaced, reigniting controversy surrounding Mrs Brown’s Boys star Brendan O’Carroll. The footage shows O’Carroll making a comment to American actor Tyler Perry that has been criticised as racist.
During the interview, when asked if Perry could feature in the BBC comedy, O’Carroll pointed to his face and said: “So far we haven’t had anyone of his colour in there so I don’t know if we could have him in.”
Perry, who is close friends with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, appeared visibly uncomfortable, awkwardly laughing before repeating, “Nobody my colour.”
The resurfaced clip comes amidst a fresh racism row involving O’Carroll during rehearsals for the Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas special.
Viewers have taken to social media to express their outrage, with one user calling the remark “wrong on so many levels” despite acknowledging that “no malice was meant”.
The incident has sparked renewed discussions, with the resurfaced clip drawing attention to a recent incident during rehearsals for the Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas special.
A resurfaced clip shows Brendan O’Carroll saying of Tyler Perry ‘we haven’t had anyone of his colour in there’
BBC
According to reports, O’Carroll made a “clumsy attempt at a joke” in character as Agnes Brown, where he allegedly implied a racial slur.
The Daily Mail UK reported that O’Carroll began to utter the N-word before being stopped by a co-star. However, O’Carroll’s representative clarified that “the ‘n’ word was absolutely not spoken, it was implied.”
The incident led to a temporary halt in production as the BBC launched an investigation. Cast and crew were reportedly stood down while the corporation “tried to get to the bottom” of what happened.
Those present during the rehearsal were said to be “shocked” by the implied slur, which was subsequently “flagged with the BBC”.
Brendan O’Carroll recently apologised for a racist remark on Mrs Brown’s Boys
BBC
The controversy has raised questions about the BBC’s initial handling of the incident, as neither the broadcaster nor O’Carroll initially acknowledged the severity of the offensive remark in their statements.
This latest incident, coupled with the resurfaced clip from The One Show, has placed O’Carroll and the BBC under increased scrutiny.
In response to the controversy, the BBC issued a statement saying, “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.”
O’Carroll himself has apologised for the incident during the Christmas special rehearsals. In a statement, 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. It backfired and caused offence which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised.”
The Brendan O’Carroll clip has resurfaced following recent reports
Getty
The BBC has confirmed that rehearsals have since resumed at their Pacific Quay studios in Glasgow, with shows set to go ahead as planned.
As the BBC moves forward with both Mrs Brown’s Boys and O’Carroll’s new sitcom Shedites, it remains to be seen how these controversies will impact the comedian’s career and the future of his shows.
