BBC Mrs Brown’s Boys’ dealt huge blow as festive special ratings bag unwanted record amid controversies
Mrs Brown’s Boys’ Christmas special has recorded its lowest-ever ratings, with just 2.2 million viewers tuning in for the 2024 festive episode.
The BBC comedy, created by and starring Brendan O’Carroll as matriarch Agnes Brown, has seen a dramatic decline from its peak of 11.52 million viewers during the 2013 Christmas special.
The show’s latest episode, titled Ding Dong Mammy, featured Mrs Brown attempting to convince her family she wasn’t grumpy.
The programme has steadily lost its audience over the past decade, having last appeared in the Christmas Day top 10 in 2020 with 3.8 million viewers.
The ratings disappointment is yet another blow for the show after O’Carroll was embroiled in a racism row earlier this year.
During rehearsals, the star made what he called a “clumsy attempt at a joke” in which he alluded to a racial slur.
While in character as the titular Agnes Brown, O’Carroll reportedly began to say “I don’t call a spade a spade, I call a spade a…” before being stopped by a co-star.
The incident led to a BBC investigation and a Black staff member reportedly leaving the show.
O’Carroll later apologised, telling The Sun the incident “raised awareness of racism” and was “a good thing” for the BBC because it highlighted their zero-tolerance approach.
The BBC stated they are “against all forms of racism” and have “robust processes” for such issues.
Despite falling ratings, O’Carroll recently expressed pride in his BBC position during an interview with TV Guide.
“To have that now as my slot, particularly on the BBC, I’m very proud to be part of the BBC family. It is a privilege and to have had it for 11, 12 years now,” he said.
The comedian and show creator noted he had initially “only signed up for 18 episodes,” with the show now reaching its 51st.
Many viewers did not share O’Carroll’s enthusiasm, with some calling for the long-running sitcom to be axed on social media.
“I’m so sick of seeing Mrs Brown’s Boys on TV every single Christmas. Why would they air that s**t and take up time for good shows,” one viewer raged on X.
Another wrote: “Whoever thinks Mrs Brown’s Boys is funny needs to give their heads a wobble. Please let it end once and for all.”
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Other viewers described the latest special as “spectacularly unfunny” with one even claiming it “ruined Christmas.”
In contrast to Mrs Brown’s Boys’ struggling ratings, other BBC Christmas offerings saw significant success.
Gavin and Stacey: The Finale emerged as the most-watched show of the festive season, drawing 12.5 million viewers.
Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl also performed strongly, attracting 9.5 million viewers.