Viewers demand Mrs Brown's Boys be axed after watching 'painful' New Year's special

Mrs Brown’s Boys returned to our screens on to kick off the New Year but it has left some fans feeling very unsatisfied.

Airing on BBC One on Sunday (1 January) the special episode, titled “Mammy’s Hair Loom”, was criticised by viewers on social media who deemed the episode ‘painful’ to watch.

The episode revolved around Cathy’s ‘creepy’ boyfriend, Boris (and the suspicion that surrounds him, per the official synopsis) as Buster and Dermot are convinced he’s a vampire and hatch a plan to save Cathy.

But the sitcom, created by Brendan O'Carroll who also stars as Agnes Brown, failed to impress some viewers.

One disappointed fan tweeted: "@BBC how can we, the good people get a refund on our TV license for #mrsbrownsboys It is awful to the point of painful."

Another viewer dragged the New Year's episode, writing: "#mrsbrownsboys please give it up. Tonight's New Year's day episode is painful to watch. And I used to love this show."

A third person penned: "I can’t believe anybody finds mbb funny. It’s the most unfunny show I’ve ever seen #MrsBrownsBoys."

While one man joked: "My parents are watching Mrs Brown's Boys. I can legally disown them for that right #mrsbrownsboys #painful."

Not all the reactions were as critical, with some enjoyed and praised the episode.

"The new #mrsbrownsboys was pretty good," one fan gushed. "Honestly can't wait for more!"

After watching the New Year's special, another fan wrote: "Please stop moaning about #MrsBrownsBoys. Admittedly, it’s not as good as it used to be. But, it still provides harmless entertainment. Perfect show to watch after you’ve ate a massive Christmas dinner. If it ‘ruins your Christmas’ as much as you say it does, don’t watch it."

Some fans took to Twitter to defend the divisive show, which along with board games and cooking Christmas dinner, seems to cause drama in households over Christmas and New Year's.

"This’ll rile people but for no good reason: another good episode of Mrs Brown’s Boys," another fan declared. "People are too snobbish and up themselves and yes I will say that! #feck #mrsbrownsboys."

The Irish sitcom has been hugely successful since its debut in 2011. After airing three regular six-episode series, it now only returns as part of the BBC’s festive programming, with a special episode on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

This year’s Christmas Day special was titled “Shining Mammy.”

Although Mrs Brown’s Boys has always had big ratings, critics and some television watchers have given the show a harsh reaction.

But, luckily for the people who claimed the show 'ruined Christmas' at least, it probably won't be back until the end of 2023.