Mrs Brown's Boys fourth NTA win leaves rival TV star fuming as he's caught on camera

Nominees at the National Television Awards couldn't contain their dismay as Mrs Brown's Boys clinched the best comedy honour once more.

Stiff competition from the likes of Ghosts, Not Going Out, Brassic, and The Gentlemen wasn't enough to topple the BBC laughfest, which has been a viewer favourite since its 2011 debut. This marks the fourth win for Mrs Brown's Boys at the NTAs, adding to their previous triumphs in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

However, Ghosts actor Kiell Smith-Bynoe could barely conceal his frustration over the result.

Creator and leading man Brendan O'Carroll, alongside his fellow cast members, proudly ascended the stage to receive the coveted award, while a disgruntled Kiell looked on. Mere weeks earlier, the Taskmaster comedian had implored his followers to give their NTA votes to Ghosts.

Embroiled in the same category, Kiell has a personal stake as a member of the Ghosts ensemble, originally forged by the creative minds behind Horrible Histories, reports the Irish Mirror.

Kiell passionately exhorted: "Don't let Mrs Browns Boys beat us again."

In the wake of Mrs Brown's Boys' victory, the audience was left questioning if Kiell's sour expression was genuine or merely an exaggerated performance. One observer remarked: "Kiell Smith-Bynoe Did not look happy."

Another speculated: "Can't tell if Kiell Smith-Bynoe was doing his 'angry'/belligerent act like he did on Taskmaster or was genuinely fuming at Mrs Brown's Boys win!"

Another chimed in with bewilderment at the reaction: "That #ghosts actors face just when he didn't win the award!" And yet another added to the chorus, exclaiming: "Omg the face on that guy!" The divisive reception to Mrs Brown's Boys continues unabated, with some fans clamouring for new instalments while others are quick to snatch up the TV remote in search of alternatives.

The slapstick sitcom has always garnered high ratings over the years, but it has also been subjected to harsh criticism from comedy fans. Brendan reprised his role as the mischievous matriarch Agnes Brown for specials on Christmas Day and New Year's Day last year.

Before the shows even aired, the actor decided to hit back at critics. He told the Daily Star: "First of all, I'm well aware that comedy is very subjective. What some people like, other people just detest. So I don't take it too serious."

However, this didn't stop many viewers from criticising the series online.

"I'm just gonna leave this here....Mrs Browns Boys...we are forced to pay for this horrific content, it should be a choice," one TV fan once wrote on X when discussing the state-funded channel. "Please please axe Mrs Browns Boys," another tweeted the BBC directly.

Over the summer, BBC's director of comedy Jon Petrie awkwardly refused to answer if he finds the show funny.

"Can I ask as comedy chief, do you actually find Mrs Brown's Boys funny? And would you watch it if you didn't have to?" Jon was asked by someone in the audience at a QandA for the BBC Comedy Showcase at Soho House in June. The TV boss nervously laughed at the question before he was saved by the QandA's host, comedy writer Michelle de Swarte.

She declared: "It's a trap. It's a trap. Look at me. That's a trap," before swiftly moving on.