BBC One controller Danny Cohen announced today: “Mrs Brown’s Boys is a joyful, laugh-out-loud comedy that I’m delighted to have on BBC One. It’s great news for us that we are extending our deal to a third series.”

Cheryl Taylor, Comedy Commissioning controller, added: “The new Mrs Brown’s episodes are rip-roaring fun and will delight her ever growing army of fans. I am pleased as punch that we are commissioning series three – go Agnes!”

Star Brendan O’Carroll, who plays misbehaving matriarch Agnes Brown, commented: “What an extraordinary Christmas present. The BBC must be mad. To allow us to dress up and play again is an extraordinary gift and we genuinely don’t take it lightly. We’re overwhelmed with the support of the audience and hopefully when they see what we’ve done with the second series they’ll see that maybe the BBC is not totally mad.”

Series 2 will begin on BBC One next month with a Christmas special.

> Buy the Series 1 DVD on Amazon.

Watch our exclusive interview with Brendan O’Carroll…