Veteran broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald has publicly condemned the cast of Mrs Brown's Boys, labelling a joke made during filming as "crude, offensive, and insulting." The strong criticism comes after a racial remark was reportedly implied by show creator Brendan O'Carroll, leading to a production halt and the resignation of a Black crew member.
Production Halted Following 'Clumsy' Joke
Earlier this week, rehearsals for the Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas specials were thrown into disarray. It was reported that production was stopped after O'Carroll, who plays the titular Agnes Brown, made a "clumsy" joke where a "racial term was implied." The specific term has not been officially disclosed by the production.
The 69-year-old Irish writer and actor addressed the incident in a statement to the PA news agency. "It backfired and caused offence which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised," O'Carroll said. The fallout was immediate, with a Black member of the production team choosing to resign in the wake of the event.
Sir Trevor McDonald's Forceful Rebuke
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Sir Trevor McDonald, who became ITN's first Black news reporter in 1973, did not mince his words. He stated that the offensive remark "couldn't have been said without a desire to hurt and insult, really. It's not even funny."
When asked how he would have handled the situation, the respected journalist was unequivocal. "I would probably have very harsh words with the person who said that," he declared, adding that "the society and the community in which we live regards that sort of stuff as unnecessarily crude and offensive." Despite his strong feelings, McDonald confirmed he would not advocate for cancelling the production outright.
A Show Under Scrutiny
This controversy adds to the existing criticism surrounding the long-running BBC sitcom. While the show remains popular, drawing over four million viewers for its last Christmas special, it has frequently been labelled as outdated and unfunny by critics.
The incident has also prompted the resurfacing of a 2022 clip from The One Show, where O'Carroll's interaction with Hollywood filmmaker Tyler Perry was branded as "racist" by some viewers. During the appearance, O'Carroll joked that Mrs Brown's Boys had never before featured anyone of Perry's "colour."
In response to the recent events, a BBC spokesperson stated, "While 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." The future handling of the show and its content is now under intense public scrutiny.
