A black member of the Mrs Brown’s Boys production team quit the show over Brendan O’Carroll’s ‘implied’ N-word ‘joke’, it has been revealed.
The BBC1 comedy show has become embroiled in a racism row over the attempted gag, with O’Carroll given a final warning by the corporation, but allowed to remain in the role.
During a reading of the script, while in character as Agnes Brown, the comedian is said to have said: ‘I don’t call a spade a spade, I call a spade a…’
He then started to utter the N-word before he was interrupted by a co-star. The incident is said to have happened in front of actors and production staff during rehearsals for the show’s Christmas specials.
According to a report in the Daily Mirror, the junior worker on the programme was horrified by the attempted joke when it was made during a ‘read-through’ for the Christmas specials last Wednesday.
A black member of the Mrs Browns Boys production team has left the show over Brendan OCarrolls offensive joke
Brendan OCarroll said he deeply regrets clumsy line after implying the N-word during rehearsals for the Christmas specials of Mrs Browns Boys
OCarroll, winner of the Comedy Award for his role in Mrs Browns Boys, at the National Television Awards at the O2 Arena in September
A source who worked on the set, told the newspaper: ‘How is it that they are no longer on the show but Brendan is? The whole thing is messed up.’
The BBC has come under pressure to properly explain how it has dealt with the controversy, having so far only provided a short statement saying it is ‘against all forms of racism’.
Sir Trevor McDonald told Mail that he regarded the attempted joke as ‘crude’, ‘offensive’ and ‘insulting’. He called on the BBC to have ‘harsh words’ with O’Carroll.
A BBC source said the corporation had spoken to the comedian and ‘made it clear what the consequences of any future issues would be.’ They claimed the corporation and O’Carroll were taking the matter ‘extremely seriously’.
OCarroll, earlier this week, 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.
Brendan OCarroll with Jennifer Gibney last month
Sir Trevor McDonald (pictured) said he regarded the joke as crude and insulting and called on the BBC to have harsh words with OCarroll
His representative added: 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.
The row has led to speculation that the BBC may decide to drop the show in the long term.
But according to reports it only recently ordered a fifth series, which is scheduled to begin production in spring.
The BBCs only statement on the issue said: Whilst we dont comment on individuals, the BBC is against all forms of racism, and we have robust processes in place should issues ever arise.