The View fans 'change channels' as return of ex-host divides viewers

Some fans of The View decided to turn off the popular chat show after the return of a former host divided opinion.

If you've been a longtime fan of The View, you'll know it's welcomed a whole range of faces over the years.

The former host made a comeback as a guest. (ABC)

Whoopi Goldberg currently sits as the moderator for the show with co-hosts including Sunny Hostin and Ana Navarro, but on Friday (April 12) viewers had mixed reactions after seeing a former host of the show make a comeback.

Full House actor Candace Cameron Bure worked on the show between 2015 and 2016, but rather than joining the panel as a host on Friday she instead appeared on the show as a guest.

Bure sat down with the hosts to help promote her new movie, Unsung Hero, as well as chatting about family life.

The actor, 48, was met with cheers and applause as she made her way out to the set, where she hugged the hosts before taking a seat in the middle of the table.

Bure quickly began to share updates on her family and everything that had changed in the years since she left her hosting position, but not everyone was interested in catching up on her news.

A number of viewers took to X to share their plans to turn off the show after hearing of Bure's appearance, with one viewer writing: "I’ll be changing the channel once Candace comes out. #TheView."

Another added: "That makes TWO of us!!!! I can’t stand her..."

"When Candace Cameron Bure appears …. No thanks," wrote a third.

But while there were some viewers who were less than impressed with the lineup, others were excited to see Bure back on the show.

Bure has recalled feeling 'stress' when hosting The View. (Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Lionsgate)

"Love Candace," one viewer posted, while someone else commented: "Candace is always such a breath of fresh air! Can’t help but love her."

Bure's appearance on the show came after she admitted in 2020 that hosting was a 'super tough job'.

In an interview with Good Housekeeping, Bure said that while the position 'helped [her] grow a lot', it was 'the most difficult job [she's] had to date'.

"You always feel like you're fighting to speak your opinion," she said.

The following year, Bure appeared on ABC's Behind the Table podcast where she recalled the 'stress and the anxiety' of being on the show.

"I actually have a pit in my stomach right now," she said at the time, adding: "There was only one type of stress that I've ever felt in my life, that came from that show. And I have PTSD, like, I can feel it. It was so difficult, and to manage that emotional stress was very, very hard."