[AaronTV]

BBC saw the Christmas specials were getting tired and strained, with ratings really bad for Christmas 2021 and 2022 - so since they are paying Brendan, they may as well make him work for his money, and pad out four weeks for them. 

It is a cheap show to make - no location work - produced in BBC Scotland television studios, which is a lot cheaper than having it produced in say Pinewood Studios or Elstree Studios

I’m assuming this is speculation rather than being familiar with the matter… 

As far as we know from what has been reported, they are contracted to produce two specials a year until 2026. The BBC are not going to randomly force an extra four episodes one year outside of the contract in place and then not pay the writer and lead star to produce them. 

Thinking about it sensibly, I think it’s probably much more likely that Brendan O’Carroll approached the BBC with a desire to produce a fourth series outside of the two specials a year, and the BBC said yes. 

Given that the ratings are respectable enough and that BBC One generally lacks decently rated comedy, I’m sure they were very pleased to commission it.