Mrs Brown’s Boys could be in crisis after two of its major stars quit amid a row over pay.
Damien McKiernan and Gary Hollywood, who play boyfriends Dino and Rory, have reportedly walked out on the popular BBC show, according to the Daily Star.
The pair complained about their pay after it emerged that they were getting less money than some of the show’s other stars.
Gary was later told that he would have a reduced role in Mrs Brown’s Boys festive special, which has resulted in him leaving the show completely.
Damien was also told that he is being “written out” of the programme.
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.”
The insider added that his co-stars, such as Jennifer Gibney, has tried to convince him to stay but that his mind had “been made up”.
They continued: “It was even worse news for Damien.
(Image: BBC Studios/Alan Peebles)
“He was simply told he is being written out. They are both heartbroken that things have turned out this way.” Work on two festive episodes has already started without the pair.”
This comes just after other claims that the atmosphere behind the scenes is “sometimes toxic”.
Meanwhile its live UK stage show was cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic, meaning that its cast missed out on a big pay check.
The BBC and Mrs Brown’s Boys’ production company did not respond to the Daily Star’s request for comment.
