Footy Show stalwart Garry Lyon says ratings are so shocking Nine would be justified in axing the long-running program Embattled Footy Show has struggled for ratings since it was revamped for 2019 Lyon was let go as host and replaced by a new-look panel lineup on Channel 9 AFL programme has had a measly 53,000 viewers in Melbourne last week Lyon suggested a 'best of' series to remind viewers of the show in its heyday By Ben Hill For Daily Mail Australia Published: 04:33 BST, 7 May 2019 | Updated: 04:36 BST, 7 May 2019 Viewcomments Former AFL Footy Show host Garry Lyon has slammed the revamped version of the show, saying Channel Nine would be justified in cancelling it. The embattled show has struggled for ratings since it was given a new look for the 2019 season. Lyon was let go as host and replaced by Neroli Meadows, Anthony Lehmann, Brendan Fevola, Dylan Alcott and Shane Crawford. The programme - which has been running since 1994 - had a measly 53,000 viewers in Melbourne last week compared to Channel Seven's rival AFL show The Front Bar's 278,000. Former AFL Footy Show host Garry Lyon (pictured with girlfriend Nicky Brownless) has slammed his former show, saying Channel Nine would be justified in cancelling it Lyon was let go as host and replaced by a new set of presenters. Clockwise from left: Brendan Fevola, Anthony Lehmann, Shane Crawford, Neroli Meadows, Dylan Alcott 'I think those numbers would be cause for very serious consideration on whether the show goes on,' Lyon said during his SEN Breakfast radio show. Lyon recommended Channel Nine screen a series of 'best of' episodes of the old lineup to remind viewers what the show used to be like as a way of boosting ratings. 'You know what it's like when you go back, it may only be sustainable for three or four weeks. I think that would be the appeal for all the people to go ''that's what it used to be like'',' he said. Lyon hosted the Logie award-winning AFL Footy Show on Nine for a decade from 2006, being joined by best mate Billy Brownless in 2009. Poll Should the AFL Footy Show be axed? Yes 0 votes No 0 votes Now share your opinion Lyon left the show after his affair with Brownless' wife Nicky became public in 2016. In March 2016, Mr Brownless opened up about the toll the affair has had on his family, saying 'a good mate wouldn't do that' and believed the secret relationship could have been going on for up to four years. 'I couldn't believe it. I found out three or four months ago. I asked Garry and Nicky earlier on what is going on and they said they were just good friends. That's what hurts the most,' Brownless said. 'By law it's legal. Morally it's wrong. We all know our rights and wrong. You don't touch a man's wallet, you don't touch his wife.' Lyon had previously criticised the revamped Footy Show for keeping the same name. 'It's a very different line-up to what the Footy Show has been historically and traditionally,' Lyon said. 'They weren't the names I would've been expecting. I would've thought they'd come up with something different for it. Come up with a fresh name for it. It's not The Footy Show.' Lyon hosted the Logie award-winning AFL Footy Show on Nine alongside best mate Billy Brownless for a decade before having an affair with his wife. Pictured from left: Billy Brownless, Nicky Brownless, Garry Lyon and Melissa Lyon before Garry and Nicky's affair was exposed Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility