“Say Whatever You Want?”: Mrs Brown’s Boys star Brendan O’Carroll opens up about the future of the legendary sitcom — and his hope that his axed chat show could be revived

This Christmas, Brendan O’Carroll has just one festive wish: that the BBC gives him back the freedom he once had on Saturday night TV.

The Irish comic, best known as the creator and star of Mrs Brown’s Boys, has revealed he would “love” to revive his cancelled spin-off All Round To Mrs Brown’s, which ran for four series from 2017 before being shelved during Covid and later quietly axed.

Fronting the chat show in character as Agnes Brown, Brendan found himself in his element — particularly because there were almost no rules. He fondly recalled hosting A-list guests such as Pamela Anderson and Mel B, but it was one interview in particular that summed up the show’s anything-goes spirit.

Ahead of chatting to Caitlyn Jenner, Brendan admitted he went to her dressing room to ask where the boundaries were. According to him, she told him there was “no line” — a response he jokingly described as “a red rag to a bull”.

Once the cameras rolled, he immediately asked a deeply personal question about her anatomy, prompting a sharp “I beg your pardon?” from Caitlyn before the exchange descended into laughter. Brendan insists it “went great”, praising her as “absolutely magnificent”, though he wryly admits it’s the kind of moment that probably wouldn’t survive today’s TV climate.

Despite past controversies — including an apology last year for a “clumsy” joke during rehearsals — Mrs Brown’s Boys remains a festive staple. The sitcom returns on Christmas Day at 10.15pm, with Agnes rediscovering the meaning of family, Buster unveiling another of his famously over-the-top Christmas trees, and Cathy stressing over presents.

There will be no celebrity cameos this time, though Brendan revealed his dream guest would be Ed Sheeran.

And as for the future of Mrs Brown’s Boys beyond the New Year special? Brendan says nothing has been confirmed yet — but if the BBC comes calling, he’s open to it. He admits he loved the creative freedom of writing a shorter run, joking that not having to write a Christmas tree into every episode felt “so freeing”.