MRS Brown’s Boys star Brendan O’Carroll has been accused of covering up a row over Gary Hollywood’s exit from the sitcom.
Over the weekend, the 65-year-old insisted Gary’s departure as hairdresser Dino Doyle was amicable and that there was no bad blood between them.
But a source close to the show has now claimed Brendan is covering up the truth, telling the MailOnline: “Brendan is lying through his dentures to save face and save the show.
“To say Gary left the show to move to Lanzarote was so stupid and really insulting to Gary’s and the Mrs Brown’s fans.”
The source continued: “They all know Gary has been living in Lanzarote since 2014 and regularly takes to social media to share snaps. He even hosts a weekly radio show on their main radio station, Monster Radio.
“Brendan knows this but said it in the hope nobody will really notice, as he’s trying to be complimentary about Gary, by saying it was amicable. It was far from amicable.”
The source went on to claim the future of the show was at stake and the rest of the cast were “too scared” to stand up to Brendan.
Brendan – who plays the iconic and foul-mouthed Agnes Brown – had tried to shut down rumours that Gary suddenly left the show over a wages spat.
“Some people claimed Gary left because of a row over money but it wasn’t true,” Brendan told Dublin Live.
“They didn’t know the full story and it was amicable.”
He then revealed he faced vile social media trolling after Gary’s departure.
“I got a lot of abuse over it on social media but I let it go over my head. Gary is a fabulous act and has worked with us on and off for over 20 years,” Brendan continued.
“He decided he wanted to follow his own star and we are delighted for him. Gary decided to move to Spain and set up a new life for himself and fair play to him.”
The Celeb Report Online has contacted the BBC for comment on the claims.
Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Specials air on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day on BBC One.
