Brendan O'Carroll gets goosebumps when he learns that Mrs Brown's Boys is part of the Christmas tradition

Brendan O'Carroll said it gave him “goose bumps” when he knew Mrs. Brown's Boys has become part of the Christmas tradition in many households.

The Irish comedian writes the script and plays matriarch Agnes Brown in this highly polarizing BBC comedy.

The show returns this Christmas Day with an episode titled “Shining Mammy.”

Speak with The sunO'Carroll said it was a joy to know that the show had become a staple of the Christmas season.

“I'm absolutely thrilled – it gives me goosebumps that Mrs Brown has become a part of Christmas,” he said.

“That's what people say when they come to the show: 'Oh, it wouldn't be a real Christmas without Mrs. Brown.' And you think, 'Oh my God, we did it.'”

O'Carroll also revealed that the team plans to shoot a four-episode miniseries and two more Christmas specials as part of the BBC's centenary celebrations next year.

“We were hoping to do a mini-series last year, just four episodes, to celebrate 100 years of the BBC,” he said. “But Covid got in the way. Not Covid itself, but as soon as the lockdowns were lifted, everyone stormed the venues.”

“The BBC insisted on shooting four episodes, so we thought, 'Let's book studios now for 2023 and then we can shoot the four episodes.'”

In 2020, O'Carroll signed a contract for Mrs. Brown's Boys to remain on the BBC until 2026. At its peak in 2013, 11 million people watched the show's Christmas special.

Last year, however, only 2.8 million viewers watched the episode, which was the first time Mrs. Brown's Boys had not made it into the top 10 most watched shows since its launch.

In this year’s episode, Agnes and Co. receive a visit from Cathy’s (Jennifer Gibney) new boyfriend.

Mrs. Brown's Boys will air on BBC One on Sunday 25 December at 10.25pm.