Chat show spin-off All Round To Mrs Brown's has been dropped by the BBC this year due to Covid, according to reports.

The Daily Star has revealed that the show, starring Brendan O'Carroll as Mrs Brown, will not be happening this year. According to the story an insider said: "Execs have tried just about everything to get this year’s series made, but the restrictions have made it impossible. It’s the first year since the show started that it won’t be airing. It’s such a shame for everyone involved and of course its millions of viewers."

Mrs Brown has been a reliable big ratings hit for the BBC in its various formats in recent years, so this news does come as something of a surprise, particularly as many comedy shows have found a way of working despite the pandemic.

In fact Mrs Brown did film its annual Christmas special last year by forming a bubble. It might have been hoped then that filming on All Round To Mrs Brown's would resume this year as the country is hopefully emerging from Covid restrictions thanks to the extensive vaccination programme.

A BBC statement said: "While All Round To Mrs Brown’s will not be returning this year, fans need not worry as some very exciting Mrs Brown news is coming very soon."