BBC comedy Mrs Brown's Boys sparked widespread viewer backlash after winning the Best Comedy award at the National Television Awards on Tuesday night.
The sitcom defeated rival nominees Amandaland, Changing Ends, Last One Laughing, and Not Going Out to secure the trophy, which is decided by a public vote.
The National Television Awards are held annually in the United Kingdom to celebrate achievements in television, with winners chosen directly by the public. Tuesday's result immediately drew sharp criticism online from viewers who expressed shock at the outcome.
Social media users reacted with disbelief following the announcement. One viewer questioned the result on X, writing: "Best comedy. I know we're not exactly in a golden age of British comedy but how did that beat Amandaland?"
Rival BBC comedy Amandaland, a spin-off of Motherland starring Lucy Punch, had been widely considered the front-runner to win the award. The comedy series previously won the British Academy Television Award (BAFTA) for Best Scripted Comedy in May.
Another viewer mocked the outcome of the public vote, writing: "Mrs Brown's Boys winning best comedy at the National Television Awards is precisely why Burnham won't be calling an early general election - this country absolutely cannot be trusted to vote."
A third viewer commented: "HOW has Mrs Browns Boys won Best Comedy? What an absolute joke!! Over Last One Laughing, Not Going Out and Amandaland?"
Fierce Backlash and Falling Ratings
A fourth viewer added: "Mrs Brown's Boys beating Amandaland?!! Excuse me while I quietly seethe from the sofa."
Created and written by Irish actor Brendan O'Carroll, Mrs Brown's Boys features O'Carroll starring as Agnes Brown, an elderly matriarch who interferes in the lives of her friends and family members while going to extreme lengths to uncover family secrets.
The sitcom initially aired in 2011 and has won several accolades during its broadcast history. The show also spawned a live television spin-off titled All Round to Mrs Brown's, which featured the titular character interviewing celebrity guests.
Despite its early success, the series has experienced a drop in popularity among viewers in recent years. Audiences described the show's most recent Christmas special as "woeful" and "unfunny," with many stating on social media that they turned the program off within minutes of starting.
The subsequent New Year's Day special received similar criticism, prompting viewers to request that the BBC cancel the "torturous" sitcom. Viewing figures for the 2024 Christmas special dropped to an all-time low of 2.2 million viewers, representing a sharp decrease from the 11.5 million viewers who tuned into the 2013 holiday special.
Absence of Brendan O'Carroll
Star and creator Brendan O'Carroll, 70, was unable to attend Tuesday's ceremony as he is currently recovering in the United States following surgery on his broken jaw.
A crew member accepted the award on O'Carroll's behalf during the ceremony, telling attendees: "Brendan's in Florida recovering from an operation so all love to you Brendan and get well soon. Behind every great man is a great woman, so love to Jenny as well."
Speaking in the winners' room after the award presentation, cast member Fiona Gibney confirmed O'Carroll had called to join the celebrations remotely. "We are delighted especially as Brendan's just had this operation - he FaceTimed to celebrate the win," Gibney said.
Gibney expressed that O'Carroll was sad to miss the event, calling the awards one of his favorite nights of the year, but confirmed the show will return in the new year. She noted that the National Television Awards are particularly meaningful to the cast because they are voted on by the public, adding that the team has been working on the show for 16 years.
Cancelled Specials and Future Return
O'Carroll's surgery has resulted in the cancellation of upcoming Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas and New Year's specials, along with its touring stage show. Gibney noted that while it is disappointing fans will not have a new Christmas episode this year, the team is now looking ahead to 2027.
The actor confirmed the cancellations in an official statement released last month, explaining that surgery was necessary to repair two fractures in his jaw and stating it was with "sincere regret" that the recordings were cancelled.
In his statement, O'Carroll wrote: "This decision has not been taken lightly and has been made on medical advice from my Consultant. To say I am heartbroken is an absolute understatement. I would like to sincerely apologise to all our fans who were looking forward to seeing the shows and for any disappointment caused."
He concluded: "I now need to focus on getting myself back to full health, and I genuinely cannot wait to see you all again in 2027. Our fans mean the world to us, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support and trust me Agnes Brown and her family will be back!"
