Former rugby star Tommy Bowe takes time off from Ireland AM after contracting Covid

The TV presenter tested positive for the virus after Christmas and described it as “not really not much craic is it”.

Sharing the news on his Instagram Story, the Tommy said: “Hey everybody. I look so rough, I got Covid last week and it really knocked me for six…”

“So, I ended up getting tonsillitis, couldn’t eat, couldn’t speak, lost a load of weight. It was pretty brutal, actually.”

“So New Year’s wasn’t much craic for me, but thankfully the family and everybody else is OK…,” he explained.

“I’ll just take a couple of days to rest up and I’ll be back on Ireland AM hopefully next week.

“But yeah, turns out this Covid, it’s not really not much craic is it? Anyway happy New Year and hopefully see you all very soon!”

Tommy's fellow Ireland AM host Muireann O’Connell tested positive for the virus last month, and spent Christmas in isolation.