Brendan O’Carroll has cancelled this year’s Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas and New Year specials after being told he needs immediate surgery for what he described as an ‘unexpected medical issue’.

The comedian, 70, who created and stars in the hit sitcom, said in a statement that a CT scan had found two fractures in his jaw that require surgery and several months of recovery, meaning the recordings could not go ahead.

He said the decision had not been taken lightly and had been made on the advice of his consultant.

He said that to say he was ‘heartbroken’ was an understatement and apologised to fans who had been looking forward to the shows and for any disappointment caused.

O’Carroll also confirmed that his Mrs Brown’s Boys D’Panto? shows in Dublin and Killarney, due to take place later this year, would be postponed.

He said he and MCD Productions were working to reschedule them for 2027.

The star said he had also been in talks with the BBC about bringing his television series back to screens in 2027, and thanked both MCD and the broadcaster for their support and understanding at what he called a difficult time.

O’Carroll said he was now focused on getting himself back to full health, telling fans he could not wait to see them all again in 2027.