Virgin Media's Muireann O’Connell and fiance ruled out…

Virgin Media's Muireann O’Connell and fiance ruled out sleeping in separate rooms after Ireland AM move

Ireland AM presenter Muireann O’Connell admitted she suggested she and her fiance should sleep in separate rooms due to her early morning wake up call for work.

The Limerick native, 39, has been hosting the Virgin Media show for a year alongside former rugby star Tommy Bowe and veteran host Alan Hughes.

But whilst longtime host Alan, who has been fronting the breakfast show for two decades, claims separate bedrooms has been the key to making his marriage survive the early morning wake up calls, Muireann said her fiance has no interest in following in their footsteps.

The recently engaged star, who is known for remaining tight-lipped about her lovelife, said: “No, I suggested that because we had to clear out our spare room.

“He was like ‘Why?’ The thing is he wakes up before me now. It is like Stockholm syndrome with time for him and I feel really bad.

“I have definitely changed his sleep pattern, God bless him.”

A year on since joining the early morning show, the former radio presenter feels she has got into the swing of the regime, but admits it often means functioning on just three hours sleep.

On whether naps help her after the show, she quipped, “No. There is no point. If I get four to five hours a night then I am okay.

“On Sunday night, if I get three then I am happy. Listen, there are people who function like that all the time between people with insomnia and parents,” she went on.

But she says she does try to stay away from the booze during the week, adding: “But my work week is over on a Thursday and I am not back until Monday, so I can handle not drinking for a few days.”

She went on: “I have gotten used to it[mornings] in that I push it to its max limit.

“This morning, I spent an hour and 10 minutes sitting on my bed jumping up and jumping down because I hated every single thing in my bedroom. My room was a complete and utter mess and it was only 5.30am.

“It is very annoying in the morning especially when you have someone going ‘Leave the house, what are you doing?’.

“I have the lights turned on in one room, just the room I am getting changed in.”

Yet, despite the tiredness, the presenter who joined the show last year after years fronting the Six O’Clock Show with Martin King said she feels blessed to love her new gig as much as she does.

She admitted: “I didn’t think you could leave someone like Martin King, who is the epitome of class and kindness and go to another class.

“I was genuinely really worried, I didn’t think I could be as happy as I was with Martin King and Ray Foley.