Overview

• The fifth series premiered on BBC One on August 1, drawing polarised reactions from viewers online
• Audience numbers have fallen sharply from a 2013 Christmas peak of 11.5 million to just 2.2 million for the 2024 festive special
• Long-time fans and institutions such as the National Television Awards have continued to back the show, which has won Best Comedy six times
• Critics and a vocal segment of viewers have condemned its crude innuendo, slapstick style and perceived outdated humour
• Creator Brendan O’Carroll has publicly dismissed his detractors and received reaffirmed support from BBC comedy chief John Petrie after a 2023 racial slur investigation