Former Xposé host and mum-of-three, Aisling O’Loughlin, isn’t holding back and has criticised claims that the show’s new-format has boosted ratings by nearly 40%.
The Clare-born journalist co-hosted the popular entertainment show from its launch in 2007 before being controversially axed, allegedly while she was on maternity leave.
Presenters Lisa Cannon and Peter O’Riordan were also cut, with TV bosses reducing the show from 60 minutes down to 30 in an effort to revive ratings. Aisling took to her Instagram on Monday in response to reports that viewing figures have increased by 38% to 58,000 since new presenters Cassie Stokes and Ruth O’Neill took over:
“May I just set the record straight for the sake of decency and fair reporting. I was quite content to be gracious and say nothing about the show’s sliding ratings and then this release from TV3 which is nothing short of breath-taking. Anyone can check the Nielsen ratings to verify. The average audience for Xposé was certainly not 42,100 and a 4.7% share when I worked for the show. That would have been a bad day at the office. Moving to half an hour should boost ratings anyway but it has not. 58,000 and a 6.5% share is not a ratings boost by a long mile and again would have been a bad day at the office.”
O’Loughlin has launched her own lifestyle website, Exquisite.ie, since parting ways with TV3.
