The stars of Mrs Brown's Boys are reportedly fearing that the hit comedy could be taken off air amid rumours of backstage tensions between the cast and falling ratings
(Image: BBC Studios/Alan Peebles)
Stars of Mrs Brown’s Boys fear the BBC comedy is on the verge of being taken off air.
The outrageous Irish show has seen ratings slump and cast members are worried its days are numbered.
One telly insider told us: “There is a feeling among some of the cast that the show is not going to run for much longer.
“The ratings are down and it feels like viewers are getting tired of it.
“For many of the cast, this show is their main source of income, so it’s nerve-racking to think about it ending. But they are trying to be realistic.”
After it was launched in 2011 Mrs Brown’s Boys became a ratings sensation with up to 12million viewers following the antics of Agnes Brown, played by creator Brendan O’Carroll.
But by last Christmas, the viewing figures had plunged to around a third of that. The show’s current deal to be shown on the BBC runs out at the end of this year.
A spokeswoman for the corporation made no comment on its future last night.
Stars fearing it will end soon have already started planning for life without the show.
Some have signed up with management companies for the first time in a bid to line up new TV work.
Our source told us: “There hasn’t been a full series of Mrs Brown’s Boys for years. They’ve only been filming a few festive specials each year and bits for the chat show spin-off.
“A lot of the cast haven’t had a great deal to do. It’s understandable they want to start thinking about other work.”
The stars of the show have also reportedly been left fuming after being told they can't cash in on reality TV stints.
A show insider said: “Over the years Mrs Brown’s Boys has pulled in big ratings, so it is no surprise there has always been a lot of interest in the cast.
(Image: BBC)
“But producers made it crystal clear they weren’t keen on everyone doing reality shows.
“It wasn’t an outright ban and a few exceptions have been made. But many stars were aware that it wouldn’t go down well if they signed up for a big reality show.
Some have turned down really big offers for shows like Dancing On Ice to stay on the right side of bosses.”
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