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Mrs Brown’s Boys New Year special preview after ‘biggest switch off’ in Christmas history

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Mrs Brown's Boys New Year special preview after 'biggest switch off' in Christmas history

‘Mrs Browns Boys has never, ever, been funny,’ one viewer said

Dan Laurie Deputy Editor of Screen Time, Katie Timms Head of Content and Gemma Jones

11:08, 30 Dec 2025Updated 11:08, 30 Dec 2025

Mrs Brown’s Boys is back on BBC One on New Year’s Day (Image: BBC)

Mrs Brown’s Boys is set to make its return for another festive special, but viewers were left absolutely furious as they tuned into the BBC on Christmas Day.

The episode, entitled Mammy’s Bottles, saw Agnes Brown “rediscover the meaning of family” as she gathered her loved ones together for a festive photograph.

It has been reported that the 2025 Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas special failed to make the top 10 most-viewed shows on Christmas Day, bringing in 1.6m viewers.

The 2024 Christmas Day special episode saw 2.2m viewers, as reported by BirminghamLive, which is a dramatic drop from the first Christmas special in 2013, which was watched by 11.5 million viewers.

On New Year’s Day, another special episode is set to broadcast on BBC One at 10.05pm and will see tensions run high as Agnes (Brendan O’Carroll) and the gang prepare for an incoming storm.

Buster (Danny O’Carroll) is flying high as he nervously awaits his birthday parachute jump, Winnie receives a shock to the system, and a lost nun is in need of help.

This is followed by Shedites at 10.35pm. Described by RadioTimes as “a new creation from Paddy Houlihan, aka Mrs Brown’s troublesome fourth child, Dermot”.

In Shedites Houlihan stars as “Paddy the Liar”, ringleader of a gang of male friends who congregate at a village shed for tinkering, nonsense-talking and mugs of strong tea.

Brendan O’Carroll is among a cast full of familiar faces who are building a bicycle from recycled parts to enter the local “Santa Spin” race.

What did Mrs Brown’s Boys fans say about the Christmas special?

During the half-hour programme, Buster unveiled another one of his signature Christmas trees with typical theatrics, while Cathy fretted over which presents to buy for everyone.

Taking to X/Twitter, one viewer proclaimed: “The BBC have just witnessed the biggest switch off in their history as they announce the Christmas special of #mrsbrownsboys.”

Another said: “The 1.6 million people who watched Mrs Browns Boys needs to give their heads a wobble.”

Mrs Brown’s Boys New Year Special is on at 10.05pm on January 1, 2026

While some fans refused to watch, others remained on the fence and some declared the show was the highlight of their evening. One viewer remarked: “Okay, that VR bit with granddad is probably the only funny thing #MrsBrownsBoys has produced in the past decade.”

Someone else hit back: “What’s with all the people whining about #MrsBrownsBoys? If you don’t like it, change the f***ing channel and move on. Stop ruining it for the people who enjoy it.”

One said: “I know nobody, and I mean NOBODY, who watches Mrs Browns Boys or who thinks it is the slightest bit funny. Makes you wonder about the commissioners of BBC comedy who have given it prime time TV for such a long period.”

“Mrs Browns Boys has never, ever, been funny,” another agreed.

Despite gaining multiple accolades over the years, including NTAs, BAFTAs, and a TV Choice Award for Best Comedy in 2024, viewers were seemingly unimpressed by the latest offering.

Although some critics expressed their distaste for the show’s traditional slapstick humour and jokes, Brendan O’Carroll, the star of the show, insists that fans absolutely adore it.