HOT 89.9's Jeff Mauler hit the big time Tuesday when he went from being behind the microphone in Ottawa to being in front of the camera as a guest host on LIVE! with Regis and Kelly, one of the most popular morning shows in the United States.

Mauler was the only Canadian radio personality to win a guest hosting role on the show, where he stepped in for Regis Philbin.

"I wouldn't be here without Ottawa, without all of Canada – it's an incredible feeling," Mauler said during the show.

Mauler's appearance on LIVE!, gave the show a Canadian theme. He even brought a toque, and tried to shed light on common misconceptions about winter in Canada.

"Truthfully, I think there is a misconception about how cold it is where we are in Ottawa in Canada. I think it (winter) starts normally around November and goes until around March," Mauler said.

"Oh, that's not so bad," Kelly Ripa replied.

And if Mauler had any pre-show jitters, it didn't show.

"Let me tell you something, you have a tremendous following. I feel like I'm sitting next to Canadian royalty," Ripa told the Ottawa DJ.

"And you are, Kelly," Mauler quipped.

Ripa went on: "If you and Celine Dion were married, you would be the king and queen of Canada."

It's the kind of promotion that Ottawa Tourism just can't buy. A single minute of air-time on LIVE! with Regis and Kelly costs $120,000.

And Mauler used his role to pitch the capital. He even showed off a plaque that declared Tuesday Kelly Ripa and Jeff Mauler Day in Ottawa.

"That's exciting," said Ripa.

Thousands of Mauler's fans, or 'hotties', voted him into the co-hosting chair. Hundreds of them caught his television debut at a viewing party at the Cornerstone Bar and Grill in the Byward Market on Tuesday.

"He found out last Monday, so yes, for the last eight days it's been absolute mayhem. I mean honestly. The hotties, our listeners at the NEW HOT 89.9, have been so wonderful in supporting him. That's why we're all here today supporting him as he hosts the show," said Josie Geuer, Mauler's radio co-host.

"I think he's doing better than Regis."

After an hour in the international spotlight, Mauler will now return to Ottawa, knowing he did his part to put the capital on the map.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Carol Anne Meehan