RTÉ’s popular Operation Transformation reality TV show has been berated by viewers after last night’s episode led to claims of “humiliation” and “bullying” of contestants.

Eilish Kavanagh, one of the leaders whose weight loss is serialised on the lifestyle programme to inspire people around the country to follow suit, failed to meet her two-pound loss goal of the week, after shedding one pound.

Earlier in the episode, Ms Kavanagh is seen sharing some drinks with friends while attending a horse-racing festival, breaking from the strict dietary routine recommended by the Operation Transformation experts.

After weighing in, Dr Ciara Kelly, a member of the advisory panel shepherding the show’s participants through a healthy weight-loss plan, described Ms Kavanagh’s performance as “an abomination.”

“This week I was embarrassed for you and I was disgusted to see you,” Dr Kelly says. “You let the programme down, you let your followers down and with respect to you Eilish, you let yourself down."

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

Dr Kelly then described Ms Kavanagh’s week as appalling, saying: “I was disgusted because there are people around the country following you."

Ms Kavanagh, 47, defended herself, telling the panel and host Kathryn Thomas: "Look it, I made a mistake, I had a few drinks, I had a good day, that's life."

You can see the video below: