Brendan O’Carroll admits last Christmas left him ‘heartbroken’

Brendan O’Carroll has revealed he was left lonely and heartbroken after he had to cancel his plans for a family Christmas because of COVID-19.

Last year the Florida based comic flew back to his hometown of Dublin for what he thought would be a big family reunion.

However, the 66-year-old was forced to pull the plug on his plans because of the restrictions put in place at the time.

‘Last year was a lonely Christmas. Although we came home to Dublin, we couldn’t see the grandchildren. It was heartbreaking,’ he told TV Times.

The Mrs Brown’s Boy’s creator said he was determined to have a proper Christmas with family and friends this year.

He said: ‘We’ll be in Dublin again, but this year it’s going to be different – and I can’t wait. You can’t beat Christmas in Ireland.’

But he was speaking ahead of a tightening of restrictions were expected to be brought in the wake of the surge in Omicron cases.

Brendan revealed how he absolutely loved being able to film Mrs Brown’s Boys in front of a live audience.

The filming was done for this year’s Christmas and New Year’s specials, which will air on RTE and BBC over the festive period.

Brendan revealed how he absolutely loved being able to film Mrs Brown’s Boys in front of a live audience Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

He said: ‘The Christmas Day episode was our first time in front of an audience for two years

‘I can’t tell you what it’s like to walk on to the floor and see people. It was amazing.

‘The buzz – they roared, cheered and cackled like they’d been let off the leash!’

Brendan’s sister Eilish, who plays Winnie McGoogan, says this year’s specials are the funniest ever and will provide some much needed light relief to viewers at home.

She told RSVP Live: ‘Fans will absolutely get some relief because it is very funny.

‘I actually don’t get to see it until Christmas Day myself so I’m really looking forward to watching it.

‘We filmed the Christmas special, New Year’s special, and the live Halloween special in a five-week period so I can’t properly remember every scene – but I do know it was extremely funny when we were reading the script and rehearsing the scenes.’