Mrs Brown’s Boys actors ‘furiously QUIT’ BBC sitcom ‘after learning of huge pay gap snub’

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Mrs Brown’s Boys actors ‘furiously QUIT’ BBC sitcom ‘after learning of huge pay gap snub (and that they’ve been written out of the Christmas special) throwing show into crisis’

By Andrew Bullock For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Longstanding BBC sitcom Mrs Brown’s Boys has reportedly lost two of its actors, after they discovered they earn less than the rest of the cast.

The actors in question – Damien McKiernan and Gary Hollywood, who play couple Dino and Rory – have also been told they’re not featuring in the 2020 Christmas specials.

While Gary, 41, will feature in one of the two seasonal episodes, Damien, 54, has reportedly been ‘simply told he is being written out’.

‘In crisis’: Longstanding BBC sitcom Mrs Brown’s Boys has reportedly lost two of its actors, after they discovered they earn less than the rest of the cast [Brendan O’Carrol AKA Mrs Brown, is pictured]

A source told the Daily Star: ‘Gary and Damien were confused and hurt when they realised they were getting paid less than the others. When they raised the issue it did not go down very well.

‘Gary was later told he would only be appearing in one of this year’s Christmas specials. That was the last straw, so he told them he was quitting.

‘It was even worse news for Damien. He was simply told he is being written out. They are both heartbroken that things have turned out this way.’

The holiday instalment – which is typically touted as one of BBC One’s main offerings on Christmas night – has started production, with neither of the actors involved, the source said.

Snubbed: The actors in question - Damien McKiernan and Gary Hollywood [pictured], who play couple Dino and Rory - have also been told they're not featuring in the 2020 Christmas specials

Snubbed: The actors in question – Damien McKiernan and Gary Hollywood [pictured], who play couple Dino and Rory – have also been told they’re not featuring in the 2020 Christmas specials

Cast: Mrs Brown's Boys follows loud-mouthed Irish matriarch Agnes Brown, whose favourite pastime is meddling in the lives of her six children

Cast: Mrs Brown’s Boys follows loud-mouthed Irish matriarch Agnes Brown, whose favourite pastime is meddling in the lives of her six children

MailOnline has approached reps for comment. 

Mrs Brown’s Boys follows loud-mouthed Irish matriarch Agnes Brown, whose favourite pastime is meddling in the lives of her six children.

The comedy is known for its slapstick humour, and breaking the fourth wall, with the characters engaging the audience. Outtakes are often left in the final edit for extra quirk.

Axed? While Gary, 41, will feature in one of the two seasonal episodes, Damien, 54, has reportedly been 'simply told he is being written out'

Axed? While Gary, 41, will feature in one of the two seasonal episodes, Damien, 54, has reportedly been ‘simply told he is being written out’

All Round To Mrs Brown's: The spin off show on BBC One sees celebrity guests sit down with the Browns. It featured Caitlyn Jenner earlier this year [pictured]

All Round To Mrs Brown’s: The spin off show on BBC One sees celebrity guests sit down with the Browns. It featured Caitlyn Jenner earlier this year [pictured]

Despite being universally panned by critics, the show is a ratings hit in Ireland, Britain, New Zealand, and Canada. It was recently revealed as a fan-favourite in Jamaica, too. 

All Round To Mrs Brown’s is a spin off show on BBC One which sees celebrity guests sit down with the Browns.

It featured Caitlyn Jenner earlier this year.

The sitcom has also spawned a live stage show, but the 2020 tour was put on hold amid the COVID-19 crisis.