WATCH: Operation Transformation row after Dr Ciara Kelly accuses leader of 'being drunk on TV'

Dr Ciara Kelly

Eilish on Operation Transformation

NO REPRO FEE Today, Wednesday November 19th, saw 19 hopeful candidates inch one step closer to becoming an Operation Transformation leader in Sportslink, Santry. John Murray and his team put the 19 finalists through their paces as to why they should be involved as a leader this year. Operation Transformation returns to our screens on RT? One in early January 2015. Pictured here is: Eilish Kavanagh. Picture: Tony Kinlan, 19/11/2014.

Operation Transformation 2015 leaders with Kathryn Thomas

thumbnail: Dr Ciara Kelly
thumbnail: Eilish on Operation Transformation
thumbnail: NO REPRO FEE Today, Wednesday November 19th, saw 19 hopeful candidates inch one step closer to becoming an Operation Transformation leader in Sportslink, Santry. John Murray and his team put the 19 finalists through their paces as to why they should be involved as a leader this year. Operation Transformation returns to our screens on RT? One in early January 2015. Pictured here is: Eilish Kavanagh. Picture: Tony Kinlan, 19/11/2014.
thumbnail: Operation Transformation 2015 leaders with Kathryn Thomas
Independent.ie Newsdesk

An 'Operation Transformation' leader has defended herself against accusations by the show's Dr Ciara Kelly that she was "getting drunk on TV".

Last night's instalment of the hit RTE weight loss series saw Dr Kelly criticise Wexford woman Eilish (47) after she missed her target weight loss of 2lbs.

She criticised Eilish for drinking alcohol during her regime.

"Operation Transformation is about getting the country healthy and one of our five leaders went out this week and got drunk on TV," Dr Kelly said.

Eilish replied that she wasn't drunk - but Dr Kelly interjected, saying: "It's what it looked like and I'm disgusted because there are people around the country following you.

"There are young people watching this show, there are kids watching this show and I thought that was appalling.

Ciara Kelly Operation Transformation

"I might have expected it from one of our younger leaders but you are not one of our younger leaders."

She also accused Eilish of throwing "caution to the wind".

Eilish lost just one pound during the week.

Last night's show saw the leader attend the races at Gowran Park with her friends during which alcohol was consumed.

In reply, Eilish told Dr Kelly: "That's not right. I did care."

"I looked up everything on the internet, my food was perfect for the day, I did my exercises," she added.

However, Dr Kelly reminded her that alcohol was an extra "six or seven hundred calories".

Eilish replied: "I knew it wasn't going to be okay because I was worried about today. I worked my socks off the week before knowing I had the day coming up."

However, Dr Kelly further criticised her.

"You are supposed to work hard every week. This week was an abomination and I was embarrassed for you and I was disgusted to see you, you let the programme down. You let your followers down and with respect to Eilish, you let yourself down.

"Look it, I made a mistake, I had a few drinks, I had a good day, that's life," Eilish replied.

Writing in her column in the Irish Daily Star today, Operation Transformation host Kathryn Thomas said she felt sorry for Eilish.

"I felt sorry for Eilish last night. She has learnt her lesson the hard way.

"But she is a great lady, full of determination and I know she will bring her 'A' game next week.

"Stick with her and all the leaders. They are really are doing their best," she said.