Mrs Brown’s Boys: Brendan O’Carroll announces Rory Cowan’s replacement days after quitting
Mrs Brown’s Boys creator Brendan O’Carroll has announced who will replace an axed star.
Rory Cowan quit the show after 26 years earlier this week.
The out gay actor revealed he quit the show on the spot, walking out after the final gig of the programme’s live tour.
In an announcement that stunned fans, Cowan revealed he would be leaving the popular BBC and RTE show.
Show creator O’Carroll said his quitting was “like Ronaldo leaving United”.
“To all of us it feels like Ronaldo leaving Man Utd. But Ronaldo went on to amazing success which I know Rory will too,” he told The Irish Sun.
“I can’t even quantify the contribution Rory has made to our success and the wellbeing of me and my family, not just on screen or stage but way before that as a friend and a driving force in getting us here.”
O’Carroll added: “He’s a legend.”
The show has since announced that Agnes Brown’s hairdresser son Rory will be portrayed by the man who originally played the role.
Pat “Pepsi” Shields portrayed the character in its early days and will be turning to the role.
The Irish star said in a statement: “For the four remaining venues in November and December the role will be played by Pat “Pepsi” Shields, who played Rory before Rory (Cowan) made it his own.
“Following plastic surgery the new Rory will be unveiled on Christmas day in the Christmas special.”
The BBC has said there are no more series of the show planned, however there are expected to be Christmas specials.
Explaining the decision to quit, the gay actor told the Irish Daily Mail: “I hadn’t been happy working for the Mrs Brown’s Boys company for the last 18 months to two years.
“I feel that 26 years is enough so I decided it was time to go. I told Brendan on June 16 about my decision to leave.
“That’s when I handed in my notice.”
Cowan, who had been touring the world as part of the Mrs Brown’s Boys live show, said: “I was supposed to leave at the end of that week, but Brendan said that would be impossible and asked if I’d stay on until the end of the London O2 gigs.
“So I agreed to that.”
He added: “I’m not going into details about why I was unhappy.”
“I did the final show [in London], packed my stuff into a small Waitrose plastic bag and just left the venue.”
Cowan previously joked about receiving proposals from straight women during the show’s live tour.
