National Television Awards viewers were aghast on Tuesday night when controversial comedy Mrs Brown's Boys scooped a top award.The BBC show beat Amandaland, Changing Ends, Last One Laughing and Not Going Out to the Best Comedy gong, sparking a fierce backlash from viewers. 'Best comedy. I know we're not exactly in a golden age of British comedy but how did that beat Amandaland?' asked one fan on X.Rival BBC comedy Amandaland, the Lucy Punch-starring spin off of Motherland, was considered to be the front-runner to win having already scooped the Best Scripted Comedy Bafta in May. Another viewer joked that the result of the NTAs public vote summed up the state of the country, declaring: 'Mrs Brown's Boys winning best comedy at the National Television Awards is precisely why Burnham won't be calling an early general election - this country absolutely cannot be trusted to vote.''HOW has Mrs Browns Boys won Best Comedy? What an absolute joke!! Over Last One Laughing, Not Going Out and Amandaland?' another asked. National Television Awards viewers were aghast on Tuesday night when controversial comedy Mrs Brown's Boys scooped a top award The BBC show beat Amandaland, Changing Ends, Last One Laughing and Not Going Out to the Best Comedy gong, sparking a fierce backlash from viewers. Pictured: Philippa Dunne and Lucy Punch in Amandaland 'Mrs Brown's Boys beating Amandaland?!! Excuse me while I quietly seethe from the sofa.' The BBC One show sees Brendan O'Carroll, who is also the creator and writer, star as Agnes Brown, an elderly woman who likes interfering in the lives of her friends and family members, and goes to any extent to find out what secrets her family is keeping from her. Initially airing in 2011, the show has won several awards and even spawned a short-lived live spin-off, All Round to Mrs Brown's, which saw Mrs Brown interview a host of celebrity guests. However, in recent years the show has seen a drop in popularity, with the most recent Christmas special branded 'woeful' and 'unfunny' by viewers who said they couldn't 'wait to switch it off' just minutes into the show.The New Year's Day special didn't fare much better and even resorted to viewers begging the BBC to axe the 'torturous' sitcom. The sitcom's 2024 Christmas special saw its ratings plummet to the lowest ever, attracting a measly 2.2 million viewers, which was a huge drop from the 11.5 million who tuned into the show's 2013 special.O'Carroll, 70, missed out on Tuesday's NTAs as he is currently recovering in the US after undergoing surgery on his broken jaw. Accepting the award on his behalf, a crew member said: 'Brendan's in Florida recovering from an operation so all love to you Brendan and get well soon. Behind every great man is a great woman, so love to Jenny as well.' Mrs Brown's Boys creator Brendan O'Carroll, 70, missed out on Tuesday's NTAs as he is currently recovering in the US after undergoing surgery on his broken jaw Rival BBC comedy Amandaland, the Lucy Punch-starring spin off of Motherland, was considered to be the front-runner to win having already scooped a Bafta in May Pictured; The cast of Amandaland at the NTAs 'Best comedy. I know we're not exactly in a golden age of British comedy but how did that beat Amandaland?' asked one fan on XIn the winners' room, show star Fiona Gibney said: 'We are delighted especially as Brendan's just had this operation – he FaceTimed to celebrate the win.'He is doing well and he is very sad to not be here. It is one of his fave nights! But definitely we will be back in the new year.'The NTAs are so important to us as the public are voting and then on tour we get to meet the fans and they tell us how on Christmas day they get to sit down and enjoy the episode and it is sad how this year we won't get that, but now it's all about 2027.'It is the best fun ever and we've been doing it 16 years.'O'Carroll's surgery has led to the cancellation of Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas and New Year's specials and its touring stage show.In a statement last month, the Irish actor explained that he required surgery to fix two fractures in his jaw, noting that it is with his 'sincere regret' that the recordings have been axed as a result.He said: 'This decision has not been taken lightly and has been made on medical advice from my Consultant. 'To say I am heartbroken is an absolute understatement. I would like to sincerely apologise to all our fans who were looking forward to seeing the shows and for any disappointment caused.'I now need to focus on getting myself back to full health, and I genuinely cannot wait to see you all again in 2027.''Our fans mean the world to us, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support and trust me Agnes Brown and her family will be back!'