Mrs Brown’s Boys Faces Fresh Criticism as Fans Revisit Show’s Controversial Christmas Legacy

Mrs Brown’s Boys has once again found itself at the centre of heated debate, as reactions to its latest festive special circulate widely across social media. While the long-running BBC sitcom has enjoyed periods of remarkable popularity — including a headline-making moment when it topped the Christmas Day ratings over a decade ago — it now faces a divided audience, with some viewers claiming the newest episode has “ruined Christmas again.”

The latest complaints surfaced just as excitement builds for the show’s upcoming four-episode return in 2023, a revival overseen by creator and star Brendan O’Carroll. The mixed reaction has reignited wider conversations about the programme’s fluctuating critical reputation and its unusual place in British holiday television.

A Show Once Untouchable in the Ratings

The debate echoes a very different moment from over ten years ago, when Mrs Brown’s Boys unexpectedly dethroned the Queen’s annual Christmas Day broadcast in the official consolidated viewing figures. At the time, the result stunned critics and delighted supporters, becoming one of the most talked-about entertainment stories of the season.

The consolidated data — which measured not only live viewings but also those who recorded the programme to watch within seven days — revealed that Mrs Brown’s Boys achieved an impressive total audience of 9.7 million, representing a 34.2% share of all Christmas Day viewers. This figure boosted the series well ahead of numerous competitors, many of which were suffering year-on-year declines.

While the Queen’s Christmas message drew a strong overnight audience as usual, it saw only 200,000 additional viewers via recorded playback. The limited timeshift viewing allowed Mrs Brown’s Boys to “leapfrog” the traditionally dominant speech into first place — the second time the sitcom had achieved the Christmas ratings crown after a successful run in 2013.

A Year of Declines for Holiday Television

The ratings story also highlighted a broader trend: many of the UK’s biggest Christmas television staples were experiencing noticeable drops. BBC1’s Doctor Who saw the most dramatic decline, falling from 11.1 million viewers the previous year — fuelled by anticipation surrounding Matt Smith’s regeneration — to 8.3 million. The fall represented one of the steepest year-on-year declines for the long-running sci-fi series during the festive period.

ITV’s Coronation Street and Downton Abbey also shed viewers compared to their previous Christmas Day tallies. Coronation Street dropped by roughly 1.8 million, while Downton Abbey fell by 1.7 million, reflecting shifting viewer habits and a wide variety of competing holiday content.

Against that landscape, Mrs Brown’s Boys’ strong consolidated performance stood out. Even though the sitcom itself was down by approximately 1.8 million viewers from the previous year, it still secured the top spot thanks to consistent loyalty from its audience and a robust timeshifted viewership that reinforced its popularity among families watching in the days after Christmas.

A Divisive Hit From the Beginning

The sitcom has always been a polarising fixture of British entertainment. While its broad physical comedy, sentimental warmth, and traditional farce have earned it a sizeable fanbase — especially around the holiday season — critics have often argued that the humour feels dated or overly reliant on slapstick and innuendo. This divide has long fuelled lively debate each December.

The latest festive special proved no exception. Social media platforms saw a wave of viewers expressing frustration, claiming the episode failed to capture the charm of earlier years. Phrases such as “ruined Christmas again” and “same jokes every year” trended briefly, echoing complaints from previous seasons. Others, however, defended the special, arguing that the show delivers exactly what it promises: nostalgia, comfort, and a familiar comedic style that resonates with millions.

Anticipation for the 2023 Revival

The renewed attention arrives at a crucial moment for the series. After years without a full season, the BBC confirmed that Mrs Brown’s Boys would return with a four-episode run in 2023. Brendan O’Carroll has expressed enthusiasm about the revival, suggesting that the upcoming episodes will offer both the classic elements fans expect and a refreshed energy intended to move the sitcom forward.

The strong reactions — positive and negative — underscore the unusual cultural position Mrs Brown’s Boys occupies. While many British comedies fade gradually from the public eye, this series continues to generate conversation, emotion, and, occasionally, controversy every time it returns to screens. For a show more than a decade into its run, that level of engagement is itself noteworthy.

A Holiday Tradition That Refuses to Fade

Whether beloved or criticised, Mrs Brown’s Boys has undeniably carved out a distinctive place in the UK’s Christmas TV landscape. Its ability to spark debate year after year, long after its runaway ratings win, speaks to the enduring influence of festive programming — and the nostalgia that surrounds it.

As the Christmas specials continue and anticipation builds for the new episodes, one thing is certain: Mrs Brown’s Boys remains a holiday tradition, for better or worse, that viewers just can’t stop talking about.