'I did every job under the sun to get here': Laura Fox to replace Jennifer Zamparelli on 2FM
Laura Fox pictured at the Royal Television Society Republic of Ireland Awards at the Liberty Hall Theatre, Dublin. Picture: Brian McEvoy No Repro fee for one use
Laura Fox has been confirmed as Jennifer Zamparelli's replacement in the 9-12pm slot on RTÉ 2FM weekdays.
Yesterday, Zamparelli became the latest RTÉ 2FM star to announce she is leaving the station.
The news comes after fellow presenter Doireann Garrihy announced her decision to leave the station earlier this month.
The 2 Johnnies also announced they were leaving the station on Tuesday.
In an Instagram post, Fox said, "I don’t even have the words right now to describe how happy I am."
"I moved up from Galway eight years ago wanting to get a job in 2FM with not a breeze how I was going to go about it and I did every job under the sun to get here," she wrote.
"I can’t thank Jen [Zamparelli] enough for all the opportunities she gave me when she kicked off the show five years ago, sending me all around the country, prank calls and phone bans. I'll be forever grateful for the support on and off air."
Fox, who currently hosts her own show 9am - 12pm on Saturday and Sunday, had been filling in for Zamparelli for the past few weeks while she was on extended leave. She recently appeared on this year's season of , and replaced Mairead Ronan as the new host of last year.
Speaking on on Friday, station boss Dan Healy insisted he has "no fear" there is a crisis at the station despite four high-profile presenters announcing their departures in recent weeks.
He said that each presenter had their own reasons for leaving and said that the situation was "nuanced". He dismissed any talk that the station could potentially close down as a result of the presenter exodus.
"To go from people leaving the station to closing it down is nuts."
Zamparelli had presented her own show from 9-12pm weekdays on RTÉ 2FM since May 2019. She joined the station in February 2014 on Breakfast Republic.
In a statement, the broadcaster said: “I have been working in 2FM for 10 amazing years and now it’s time for me to move on. It has been a really difficult decision to make as I love my team, and of course chatting to you guys (the listeners) every morning.
"From the early starts on Breakfast Republic all those years ago, to opening up the phone lines again from 9-12pm, I have loved every minute.
"Within this time I have gotten married and had two kids and now I feel it’s their time. Florence and Enzo are growing up so fast it’s scary and I really feel now is the time to give them a little more of me, so I won’t be returning to my daily radio show.”
RTÉ 2FM is to announce its summer schedule next Friday.
