Mrs Brown’s Boys star Brendan O’Carroll denies Gary Hollywood’s exit was over money and insists it was amicable
THE shock exit of Gary Hollywood from the popular series Mrs Brown's Boys had nothing to do with money.
Mrs Brown's Boys star and writer, Brendan O'Carroll has insisted Gary left the show amicably.
Brendan - who plays the iconic and foul-mouthed Agnes Brown - on the popular sitcom shut down rumours the actor 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.”
The well known actor 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 said.
“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 sitcom was thrown into chaos after two actors quit due to a furious pay gap row.
According to , the popular comedy is now in crisis after two members of the cast left the show after finding out they were paid less than their co-stars.
Gary Hollywood and Damien McKiernan, who play boyfriends Dino and Rory, clashed with the show's bosses after realising they were being paid less.
The publication also revealed that Gary was told his role on the show's Christmas episodes would be reduced, which they say also played a part in his decision to leave.
An insider said: "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.
"Co-stars including Jennifer Gibney tried to convince him to stay, but his mind is made up."
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This comes after the publication's source described the atmosphere behind the scenes as "uncomfortable and sometimes even toxic".
A source continued: "There have been feuds between some of the cast for a while now. What happens off-screen is a world away from the fun viewers see."
Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas special airs at 9.45pm on RTE One and 10pm on BBC One on December 25.
BBC declined to comment.