Culture

Mrs Brown’s Boys star Rory Cowan quits after 26 years

Jul 10 2017
Written by Nick Duffy

Mrs Brown’s Boys star Rory Cowan has quit the show after more than two decades, confessing to being unhappy with his role.

Cowan has appeared in the comedy series as Rory Brown – the third son of Agnes Brown (Brendan O’Carroll).

Both the character and actor are openly gay.
Rory Cowan

However, in an announcement that stunned fans, Cowan revealed he would be leaving.

He explained to 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.

He explained: “I have had two wedding proposals again – I turned them down but I kept both of the rings.

“They were both during our Melbourne run – one on Tuesday night and the other on Saturday.

“The rings are beautiful – one is an Australian opal ring and the other is like two glitter balls, it’s very bling.

“I wear them both on stage but I explained to one woman: ‘Listen, I’m gay’ and she said it didn’t matter that we would be compatible.”

He added: “I got two proposals the last time I was in Australia as well – so maybe it’s just going to become one of those things like throwing your knickers at Tom Jones.

“I’ll be staying single – and I’m certainly not marrying a woman.”

Mrs Brown previously recorded a special message ahead of Ireland’s equal marriage referendum, asking people to vote yes.

She said: “When two people love each other, you should allow then to get married. What’s all the f**king fuss?”