Mrs Brown's Boys black worker quit over Brendan O'Carroll's racist 'joke' - star on final warning

A black crew member working on quit in outrage over Brendan O’Carroll’s N-word “joke” - as it emerged the has issued the comedian with a final warning.

The junior staffer was left horrified by the disgusting slur being “implied” during a cast read-through of the special, last Wednesday. One on-set source said: “How is it that they are no longer on the show…but Brendan is. The whole thing is messed-up.”

Pressure is building on the BBC to explain why they are appearing to back the comedian, who plays title character Agnes Brown, by allowing him to remain on the show. Instead of firing him, they have issued him with a final warning instead.

A BBC source said: “The BBC takes the matter extremely seriously and Brendan also takes the matter extremely seriously. Brendan is under no illusion about this. We have made it clear what the consequences of any future issues would be.”

Equity, the performing arts and entertainment trade union, said that “no working person should be subjected to racism when doing their job.” They added: “Employers and engagers must realise the obligations they have and create safe, anti-racist workplaces.”

Philippa Childs, head of Bectu, which is the largest union in the BBC, said: "Too often the creative industries allow a dynamic where those in power can abuse their status, causing discomfort or offence to those who work with them. "Everyone has the right to feel safe and respected at work, and it's important that crew, including freelancers, can have confidence that any concerns will be heard, thoroughly investigated, and appropriate action taken. "Broadcasters must deal swiftly and effectively with unacceptable behaviour and walk the walk in stamping out racism."

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O’Carroll had told the on Monday that he was sorry for the comment. He said: “At a read-through of the Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas special, 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.”

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His representative said: “We would also like to clarify that the N-word was absolutely not spoken, it was implied. Agnes began the word but was stopped from finishing it by her daughter Cathy, as she knew she would be.”

The BBC has said simply of the affair: “Whilst we don’t comment on individuals, the BBC is against all forms of racism and we have robust processes in place should issues ever arise.”

Insiders have questioned whether the show was “too big to cancel” given that O’Carroll is its main star and creator, and it remains one of the BBC’s most popular shows. The festive specials, in particular, have become staples of BBC One’s schedules on Christmas Day, with millions tuning in.

The show, which has aired since 2011, has won the National Television Award for Best Comedy for the last six years in a row.

, with production set to get under way in spring. An on-set source added: “They are tied to the show for the foreseeable future…getting rid is not an option.”

The row comes despite BBC director general Tim Davie saying this week that no-one at the corporation is “indispensable” in a crack-down on bad behaviour.

Davie said he has “kind of banned” referring to top staff at the corporation as “talent” following controversies surrounding its high-profile presenters.

Recent controversies include the furore over disgraced former presenter , the bullying row and sacking of presenter Jermaine Jenas after he admitted sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues.

Mr Davie told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme presenter Nick Robinson on Monday: “We often refer to people like yourself as talent but I’ve kind of banned that. You’re a presenter, I’m a leader of the organisation, and we’re here to serve.

“I do think over the last decade or so we’ve seen fundamental changes in the culture in this industry, and it hasn’t been completely unique (to the BBC, and) those that have had power in places can often use that in bad ways.

“I think the BBC is utterly committed - you see us acting in good faith to get at this (issue) - and I would say (it is) important that everyone is treated equally regardless of rank.”

The review, led by Grahame Russell, the executive chairman and founder of Change Associates, will “be helpful for us” in “sorting this culture”, Mr Davie added.

He went on: “It’s about how people deploy power in a workplace, we’ve all seen it, it’s not unique to the BBC. Many good or bad things happen in the new age, but one thing we should take comfort from is that things are improving. People need to speak up and everyone at every level needs to be heard.”