Mrs Brown's Boys' Christmas return sparks horror from BBC viewers

Mrs Brown's Boys' return to screens for two more Christmas specials has sparked horror from many BBC viewers.

The divisive sitcom, which has been both loved and maligned since its inception in 2011, is set to air two more episodes over the festive period, despite being plagued with claims of backstage drama and the departure of two cast members.

Many viewers took to social media to share their reaction to the BBC's announcement of their Christmas lineup, with the network hopeful it will tempt viewers away from streaming services such as Netflix.

Mrs Brown's Boys is at the helm of BBC's Christmas lineup, with another pair of specials featuring the Irish mammy's hijinks, but news of its return has split viewers.

One wrote: 'FFS @BBC come on - you cannot be serious! You surely aren't pinning your hopes for Xmas viewing on #mrsbrownsboys. The #bbc has really lost the plot! Pathetic.'

Another wrote: 'DOOMED. We are all doomed. If the BBC are relying on Mrs Brown's Boys they are toast.'

A third also penned: 'Christ no! Two Mrs Browns Boys specials again! Last years script rehashed no doubt. Absolute rubbish.'

One tweeted: '@BBCOne must be desperately short of quality programs over the festive period, not one but TWO specials of @MrsBrownsBoys, what sort of fresh hell is this?'

'By putting Mrs Browns Boys on you've already turned away many of the viewers they're trying to tempt back.'

'Think I would rather watch this at Christmas than Mrs Browns Boys,' a fan tweeted while another said: 'Mrs Browns Boys is one of the unfunniest TV programmes ever made. Absolutely dire nonsense which the BBC seems to think is funny.'  

However some viewers did rush to defend the programme, with one writing: 'Love Mrs Brown's Boys, but I hope these are better than the Halloween special.;

Another added: 'Genuinely love Mrs Browns Boys.'

In the past Mrs Brown's Boys has been plagued with controversy, slammed for its backstage politics as two of its actors reportedly quit the show amid a pay gap dispute.

The actors in question - Damien McKiernan and Gary Hollywood, who play couple Dino and Rory - were said to have discovered they earn less than the rest of the cast - which is largely made up of star Brendan O'Carroll's family.

And an insider exclusively told MailOnline last year that the way the show is run behind-the-scenes makes for an unhappy work environment.

'The show is very Upstairs/Downstairs, with a very clear divide between Brendan’s family and the few actual actors such as Gary and Damien,' the insider said. 

'The family are all directors of the Mrs Brown’s production company and are always looked after. The BBC let Brendan do whatever he wants!'

MailOnline approached the BBC for comment at the time.

As well as the dispute over money, Gary and Damien were allegedly told they were not going to feature in the 2020 Christmas specials. 

Although he has not disclosed his salary from the show, O'Carroll's net worth was last calculated in 2013 when it was an astounding £9.98 million / €11 million.

In 2017, however, the stars of the show revealed how they were in debt in the early runs. But in 2019 it was reported that profits at a Brendan O’Carroll entertainment company almost doubled to £584,311 / €643,876 the year before.

BBC's Christmas TV lineup is REVEALED: Mrs Brown's Boys returns for two festive specials, Doctor Who kicks off 2022 and A Very British Scandal debuts 

BBC have unveiled their sparkling Christmas TV lineup, with a mixture of lifelong favourites and gripping dramas set to delight viewers over the festive period.

Leading the schedule is the return of Mrs Browns Boys, which will once again hit screens with two festive specials, and Doctor Who, which will kick off 2022 with a star-studded New Year's Day special.

Also filling the lineup are festive versions of game show favourites The Wheel and The Hit List, as well as the debut of the much-anticipated period drama A Very British Scandal.

Mrs Brown's Boys  

As ever Mrs Brown's Boys will either leave viewers in hysterics with two one-off specials, with Agnes becoming a non-singing member of the choice, whilst New Year brings about fresh starts for the beloved Irish family.

Doctor Who 

Following the news that Jodie Whittaker will be leaving her role as the titular Time Lord in 2022, Doctor Who will be returning to kick off the New Year, with a slew of guest stars including Aisling Bea, Adjani Salmon and Pauline McLynn.

Sarah (played by Bea) owns and runs ELF storage, and Nick (Adjani Salmon) is a customer who visits his unit every year on New Year's Eve. This year, however, their night turns out to be a little different than planned.

Call The Midwife 

Call The Midwife will also return for its ninth annual Christmas episode, with Nonnatus House gripped by wedding fever as Lucille and Cyril prepare to tie the knot. 

But as the maternity home is filled with mothers-to-be, Mother Mildred is once again on hand to help.

The show took to Instagram in September to tease fans with a first look at the upcoming episode, and said Lucille 'has a lot to prepare for' alongside a slew of wedding emoji's.   

Death In Paradise 

Death In Paradise fans can also enjoy a trip to Saint Marie in the show's first ever Christmas Special, where star Danny John-Jules will also make an unexpected return. 

Concluding the tenth anniversary celebrations, the festive 90-minute special, which stretches from a grey damp drizzly London all the way to the warm sparkling beauty of idyllic Saint Marie, will see the return of Danny as charismatic Officer Dwayne Myers, for this celebratory episode.

Also joining the regular cast for this one-off sunny special are Mathew Baynton (Ghosts), Juliet Stevenson (Riviera), Stanley Townsend (Informer) and Jocelyn Jee Esien (Jack

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