• [Dailystar Icon]
• Showbiz
• Mrs Brown's Boys

Brendan O'Carroll's health battles from heart attack fears to surgery as he cancels shows

EXCLUSIVE: Mrs Brown's Boys star Brendan O'Carroll previously spoke to us about his health struggles ahead of his latest "unexpected" medical setback

[ Brendan O'Carroll attends the NTA's 2025 at The O2 Arena on September 10, 2025 in London, England.]

Brendan O'Carroll opened up about his health(Image: Getty Images for the NTA's)

This week, Brendan O'Carroll revealed that the Christmas and New Year specials of Mrs Brown's Boys have been cancelled due to an "unexpected" health issue. The announcement follows a period of ill health for the 70-year-old in recent years, including being told he was "a month away from a heart attack" and battling a virus.

Revealing his latest health setback, Brendan, who portrays the programme's main character, the Irish matriarch Agnes Brown, told fans he could no longer proceed with the festive specials as he requires "immediate surgery".

He wrote: "It is with sincere regret I must announce that due to an unexpected medical issue I will have to cancel the recordings of the 2026 Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas and New Year's Specials.

"Following a CT Scan, it was found that I had two fractures in my mandible (jaw) which requires immediate surgery and a few months recovery."

The actor also confirmed that he would delay his festive Mrs Brown's Boys D'Panto? performances in Dublin and Killarney, with hopes of rearranging them for 2027.

[Brendan as Agnes Brown]

Christmas and New Year specials of Mrs Brown's Boys have been cancelled(Image: BBC)

"This decision has not been taken lightly and has been made on medical advice from my consultant," he added.

In 2020, Brendan shared an exclusive health update with us as he embarked on a more positive stage of health.

This occurred after he contracted a virus and experienced arterial complications within a three-year period. Following successful treatment and lifestyle adjustments, including quitting cigarettes, he managed to recover.

At the time, he told us: "They're not related but, that time I thought I was having a heart attack was when we were recording in Glasgow, about three years ago.

"It turned out just to be a virus, I had a very bad virus. Thank God, after two days I seemed to be okay," he shared.

"Ironically, fast forward two years after that, a doctor, who is a friend of mine, was watching me on a TV interview and he said, 'There's something wrong with Brendan's breathing and I don't like that'.

[Brendan O'Carroll with his wife and co-star Jennifer Gibney]

Brendan O'Carroll with his wife and co-star Jennifer Gibney(Image: GETTY)

"So, he sent me to a place and they put a stent in my heart," he added. "It turned out I was about a month away from a heart attack."

Fortunately, Brendan conquered his health struggles through medical treatment and the backing of his family, telling us: "I am 110 per cent okay now, thank God you have friends."

Now confronting a fresh health challenge, the actor revealed he needs "to focus on getting myself back to full health" while expressing gratitude to fans for their encouragement.

"I genuinely cannot wait to see you all again in 2027. Our fans mean the world to us, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support and trust me Agnes Brown and her family will be back!," he added.

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.