With the announcement that Nicky Byrne will not be returning as co-host for the 2023 series of Dancing With the Stars – there has been a lot of chatter about who will replace the Westlife star.
While RTE is currently screen-testing well-known hosts to fill the role, Goss.ie can reveal that Lottie Ryan is a “top favourite” to replace Nicky and join Jennifer Zamparelli at the helm this coming season.
“Before Dancing With The Stars aired on RTE, producers had screen tested women co-hosting, to copy the format with Strictly Come Dancing in The UK,” a well-placed source told Goss.ie.
“They originally went with Nicky and Amanda Byram, but now they’re revisiting the idea of two women.”
“Jen and Lottie are very close friends outside of work, and given Lottie won the show in 2020, it really would be a perfect fit,” the insider added.
While our source revealed that “no decisions have been made yet”, a lot of people within RTE are backing Lottie to take the job.
Picture: Brian McEvoy
Lottie already has tested her DWTS hosting skills, as she hosts the official Dancing With The Stars podcast. She also won the popular show back in 2020.
The eldest daughter of Gerry Ryan is no stranger to presenting gigs, as she joined 2FM in 2014 to host an early morning breakfast show, before later becoming the showbiz correspondent for 2FM.
Before screening in 2018, stars like Brian Dowling and Vogue Williams were screen-tested for the series.
