The BBC recently commissioned a fifth series, with production set to get underway in spring.
A source told the Mirror: “The whole production of the Christmas special was paused while the investigation was carried out. The entire cast and crew stood down in the wake of the comment, as the BBC tried to get to the bottom of it.”
Last month, O’Carroll said: “We are going to film another series in April and May. It’s lovely to be asked to do another one.”
The BBC’s swift action surrounding the incident came in the wake of the Huw Edwards scandal.
Edwards, 63, the former TV anchor was found guilty last month of paying sex offender Alex Williams up to £1,500 after receiving images of child abuse. Edwards was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years.
On Monday, Mr Davie told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that no one at the corporation is “indispensable” as he said the broadcaster would no longer refer to prominent presenters as “talent”.
Last month, O’Carroll teased the release of the Christmas special and said: “I can foresee Mrs Brown’s Christmas will be just as chaotic as ever. Except this year, I think she’s going to be happy with her Christmas tree.”