CHANNEL NINE has announced who will be Erin Molan’s replacement will be when she goes on maternity leave from the NRL Footy Show.

Molan will be replaced by James Bracey, who currently hosts the network’s weekend program, Wide World of Sports.

The program, which has been struggling in the ratings stakes will also change its format when Molan goes on maternity leave in mid-May.

Bracey will host the show from the ground after Thursday Night Football, and Parramatta legend Peter Sterling will fill in as host of the Sunday Footy Show.

It is a return to a familiar footing for him after he hosted the program from 1993 to 2015.

Nine says that both changes occur from mid-May until Molan returns from maternity leave later in the year.

media_camera Erin Molan at Channel Nine's NRL launch. Picture: Brett Costello

Ever since the new-look Footy Show aired in March this year, Molan has faced harsh criticism from viewers over social media.

The show, which let Paul “Fatty” Vautin go, was slammed for being a “trainwreck” and a “yawn-fest” with Molan as host.

“I’ve dealt with other people’s opinions of me for over a decade now. People seem to feel the need to judge me constantly. If I got upset every time someone said something bad about me I couldn’t do this job,” Molan told News Corp.

Molan said she was excited for her first child’s arrival with partner Sean Ogilvy and thanked those that had sent their well wishes.

“Sean and I are so excited to meet our baby. We can’t wait!”

“We just hope Bub is polite enough to come before or at least in between State of Origin matches!

media_camera A pregnant Erin Molan with partner Sean Ogilvy. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“We want to thank all the wonderful people who have sent through their best wishes and particularly those who have assured me ‘It won’t hurt a bit’ ... majority male!

“I’m excited for this next phase and also looking forward to introducing the newest member of our family to everyone at Nine.”

Bracey currently anchors the Wide World of Sports coverage of the NRL, Sports Sunday and 100% Footy.

He praised Molan, saying he hoped he could be a “good bench player” until she comes back to TV.

“Erin does such a fantastic job in her role as host, and I hope I can be a good bench player until she’s ready to return,” Bracey said.

“The Footy Show has a rich history of success over its quarter of a century on the air.

media_camera Channel 9 sports anchor James Bracey at Willoughby. Picture: John Fotiadis

Nine executives have faced continued calls from disappointed viewers to ‘Bring Back the Fat’ as the NRL Footy Show has suffered a ratings plunge.

Vautin’s absence has seen the show lose its key Sydney audience.

A Facebook petition was also set up, pushing for his return. He was axed after 23 years on set last season.

But according to The Daily Telegraph, sources said the show’s lack of popularity may not have anything to do with its new look. It is more likely linked to the ongoing decline of the show’s popularity overall.