BROWN COWAN TRIBUTE Brendan O’Carroll’s daughter Fiona says Rory Cowan’s Mrs Brown’s Boys departure is huge loss but defends her dad

Fiona O’Carroll has vowed the smash hit show will go on without the actor

BRENDAN O’Carroll’s daughter says the departure of Rory Cowan from Mrs Brown’s Boys was a huge loss — but has defended her dad over the shock exit.

Fiona O’Carroll has vowed the smash hit show will go on without Rory but the rest of the cast do wish him all the best.

Rory, 58, had recounted how there was no going away party for him after his last Mrs Brown performance at London’s The O2 last month.

He also complained star Brendan had said nothing when he revealed at Cardiff Arena, he was leaving after working with the Irish comedy star for 26 years.

Speaking exclusively to the Irish Sun, Fiona said: “My dad was genuinely concerned for Rory but he would never try to force someone to stay if they wanted to go.

“It was a huge loss to us and we were all very sad to lose Rory.”

The mother-of four also revealed why there had been no going away party for Rory, who revealed how he travelled back to his hotel in London alone after the show.

Fiona, 37, added: “Rory left the way he wanted to leave. We invited him out and he said he had other plans.

“That was his own choice. I must admit it might have been hard to party, when someone close to you is leaving.

“You can’t really celebrate when you’re sad.”

Fiona stressed there was no bad feeling with Rory, who she hoped might join her on a one-woman charity walk from Cork to Belfast from August 11-23 to raise funds for Billy’s World — a charity set up to raise money to build a holiday facility for families with children with special needs.

Fiona O’Carroll and singer Ryan Sheridan will take part in an event in 37 Dawson Street on August 17 in aid of billysworldireland.com.