RTE viewers have praised Lottie Ryan after she stepped in to present Dancing with the Stars at the last time on Sunday night .
The RTE entertainment reporter and former champion of the show took host Jennifer Zamparelli’s place at the weekend, after she tested positive for Covid-19 before the show.
And despite the last minute change, viewers took to social media to congratulate Lottie on her work alongside co-host Nicky Byrne.
One fan of the show said: “Lottie Ryan tops the leaderboard tonight, she's brilliant! She's got something!”
Someone else agreed, saying: “Absolutely she has a real natural touch.”
A third added: “Lottie Ryan is smashing this!”
Elsewhere, fans admitted they missed popular presenter Jennifer on the night, but credited Lottie for slotting in so ‘naturally’.
“Miss Jen tonight, but very impressed with Lottie Ryan as co presenter.”
The star took to social media to confirm her absence at the weekend after RTE announced the news in a statement.
In the post on Instagram, the host explained: “This week I won’t be hosting Dancing with Nicky because I have tested positive for Covid.
“To say I’m devastated to be missing a show would be an understatement but it had to be done.”
She then revealed who would be taking her place temporarily as she recovers from the virus.
“My Pal, Lottie Ryan will be taking over and she will be amazing,” Zamparelli wrote.
“Wishing Lottie and the whole crew a fab show…enjoy every second.”
Lottie is no stranger to Dancing with the Stars having won the show alongside her pro partner Pasquale La Rocca in March 2020.
But her first night presenting was less of a celebratory affair, as she announced Cathy Kelly as the first celebrity voted off the dance show last night.
The first night of voting on the hit RTE One show saw the writer lose her chance at lifting the glitterball trophy after she received the fewest votes on the show.
Speaking afterwards, Cathy said she felt like she “let down” her dance partner, Maurizio Benenato.
She said: “It has been an amazing experience, I have had so much fun with Maurizio.”
Earlier in the night, Cathy’s tango failed to impress judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian, who scored her 15 points.
Dancing with the Stars airs Sunday at 6.30pm on RTE One.
