BBC Brendan O'Carroll's racist joke which sparked Mrs Brown's Boys probe revealed

Brendan O'Carroll, the creator and main star of Mrs Brown's Boys, has he made triggered a investigation.

During a script run-through for the Christmas special last Wednesday with the cast and crew, O'Carroll, aged 69, allegedly made a comment which 'implied' using the N-word.

Whilst he was in character, O'Carroll is said to have remarked: "I don't call a spade a spade, I call a spade a..."

According to the , they claim that the actor started to use the N-word before he was stopped by his co-star Jennifer Gibney, who plays Cathy.

In statement shared with the publication, O'Carroll's representative said: "We would also like to clarify that the 'n' word was absolutely not spoken, it was implied. Agnes (Mrs Brown) began the word but was stopped from finishing it by her daughter Cathy, as she knew she would be."

Team members who heard the comment were reportedly taken aback and reported it, prompting the to take swift action.

O'Carroll admitted to the , "At a read-through of the Mrs. Brown's Boys Christmas specials, there was a clumsy attempt at a joke, in the character of Agnes, where a racial term was implied. It backfired and caused offence which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised."

The also addressed the issue, stating, "Whilst we don't comment on individuals, the is against all forms of racism and we have robust processes in place should issues ever arise", reports .

The incident halted production of the festive episode, according to insiders, as the entire team was stood down during the probe into O'Carroll's comment.

The incident resulted in a delay to the beginning of rehearsals at Scotland's Pacific Quay studios. Following the conclusion of the investigative process and the issuance of an apology from O'Carroll, normal rehearsal schedules have resumed.