“Are we still trying to make Chris Brown happen?”

Dr. Chris Brown made his debut as the new co-host of Dancing with the Stars on Sunday alongside returning host Sonia Kruger.

However, the 45-year-old celebrity veteran received a lukewarm reception from fans of the dance competition as they called for the return of former host Daryl Somers.

Viewers loved it when the show aired on Channel Seven, with most lamenting the loss of the 72-year-old Hey Hey It’s Saturday star from their screens.

One person wrote: “I watch #DancingAU but I’m sorry Daryl isn’t hosting.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I love Dr. Chris Brown but I feel sorry for Daryl Somers,” said another.

A third person directly attacked Daryl’s successor, commenting: “Are we still trying to make Chris Brown happen?”

Others disagreed with the naysayers. One said, “I think Chris will be great in the role in the Sky Lounge after the show.”

Sonia, 58, also faced her share of criticism when she made witty remarks about her former co-host Daryl at the beginning of the season.

The presenter, who returned to the show this year alongside her new co-host Chris, couldn’t resist making a joke at her former pal’s expense.

TV icon Daryl left the show at the end of the last season and the Gold Logie-nominated actress decided to take a little dig at her former colleague.

“I was actually very badly injured on Dancing with the Stars. I even had to have an arm amputated,” she joked to Chris.

While the commentary drew laughter from the show’s audience, not all viewers at home were impressed.

“Sonia’s repeated bi***y comments about Daryl Somers are not funny, they are unprofessional, mean and just plain unnecessary,” one person wrote on X.

“If I ever wanted to vote for her at the Gold Logie, I certainly won’t do it now. Appalling,” they added, calling Sonia a “mean girl” and a “bitter old woman”.

Another angry viewer agreed, replying: “Yeah, embarrassing show.”

Daryl’s replacement this season was Seven’s new star, Chris, after the Australian TV legend’s exit from the show was confirmed in October last year.

The “Hey Hey It’s Saturday” veteran was no stranger to the DWTS franchise, having previously co-hosted the show between 2004 and 2007.

He returned again in 2021 and 2022 along with co-host Sonia.

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