Eddie McGuire makes 'impressive' return to Footy Show

Welcome back Eddie! That was the vibe following the return of AFL Footy Show host Eddie McGuire to the small screen last night.

McGuire returned to the show after a 12-year absence, with viewers flooding social media to share their appreciation of the new line up.

“The best episode in years welcome back Eddie,” one viewer wrote on social media.

“The Footy Show is back, go Eddie!” another posted.

Earlier, controversial AFL Footy Show entertainer Sam Newman said he was looking forward to getting back to a "dictatorship" under returning host Eddie McGuire.

"Ed says jump and we say how high," Newman told A Current Affair.

"And that's how it should be and that's a dictatorship, don't worry about that."

Fellow host Rebecca Maddern said she was "lucky" to work with McGuire - but pointed out it would go both ways.

"I get to work with one of the best hosts in the country, so I will learn a lot and I think Eddie will learn a lot as well," she said.

"He hasn't sat beside a female and co-hosted before."