Sunrise viewers demand Christmas fill-in hosts replace Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington in 2025: 'Way better than Nat and Shervo'

It seems that Sunrise fill-in hosts Monique Ryan and David Woiwod are making quite the impression with viewers.

Monique and David have taken over the reins of the popular Channel Seven morning show as Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington go on their Christmas break.

And after just a week on air together, the duo's chemistry is certainly striking a chord with many fans demanding Monique and David helm the show permanently.

Fans have been flocking to social media throughout the week to offer their approval of the temporary appointments.

'Absolutely love watching Mon and David you go guys fantastic,' one viewer commented on Instagram.

Another, commenting on a video of Monique and David playing a hilarious game of 'Hungry Reindeer', wrote: 'Hilarious, loving this sunrise team, one of the best!'

One fan suggested that it might be permanent host Natalie Barr that might be the weak link in the Channel Seven morning chain.  

'Loving watching Mon and David. Add Shirvo and we will all be laughing all through the show,' they wrote, with Nat being a noticeable omission.

Another viewer went further, suggesting that Nat should be removed from the show altogether.

'These two are so great together! Love them both. Get rid of Natalie and keep Monique on full time,' they wrote. 

'These two are way better than Nat and Shervo,' another fan wrote while one more also chimed in with, 'They should have these guys on Monday to Friday.'   

It was announced earlier this month that David was stepping into the Weekend Sunrise co-hosting gig, taking over from Matt Doran.

David, who has been working as a foreign correspondent for the network in Los Angeles since July 2020, has been immediately recalled to the channel's Sydney headquarters to take on the role from this weekend.

There had been speculation a number of network stars, including Michael Usher and weatherman Sam Mac would be given the opportunity to stake a claim on the role while filling in over the summer.

But sources said the network wanted to move quick to ensure audiences were familiar with Doran's replacement by the time the official ratings season kicked off on Sunday, February 9 next year.

The move saw Woiwod return to his Sunrise roots, having worked as a reporter on the program for four years after joining Seven in 2016.

He moved to Los Angeles in July 2020 to become the network's US correspondent and was promoted to US Bureau Chief in April last year.

Woiwod has developed a reputation for his engaging personality and cheeky banter when reporting.

In 2020, Woiwod was left red-faced while appearing on Sunrise when he mispronounced the name of US actress Ellen DeGeneres as 'Allan'.

It comes after Doran's shock decision called time on his five years at Weekend Sunrise about three weeks ago.

The Seven star, who recently opened up about his struggles with depression on The Morning Show, said he would be taking time to focus on family and to pursue other opportunities.

'Before we go today, a bit of breaking news from the Doran household,' he said.

'I want to share with you a decision I've made, with my beautiful wife Kendall - and of course in earnest consultation with our beloved Italian greyhound Murphy - and this is, after five years at Weekend Sunrise, I will be finishing up at the end of the year.'

'This is something I've agonised over because it's honest to say this is one of the best jobs on earth, but we think it's right and at the right time - for our little family.

'While I'm sad, and I'm doing everything possible presently not to look Monique in the eye, where I am right now is honestly a place of incredible gratitude for the laughs, the lessons, the tears.

'It is my unshakeable belief this role - specifically, being entrusted with the telling of people's most intimate, most personal stories - is one of the more privileged positions on the planet.'