2FM exodus: RTÉ announces summer replacements for Doireann Garrihy and The 2 Johnnies
David O'Reilly and Lottie Ryan will host Drive It on 2FM
RTÉ's 2FM has announced its on-air replacements for Doireann Garrihy and The 2 Johnnies, who along with Jennifer Zamparelli announced their departures from the station in recent weeks.
The station announced a new summer season on Friday which includes Lottie Ryan — daughter of legendary radio host Gerry Ryan — joining the schedule.
From Tuesday of next week, Aifric O'Connell will join Carl Mullan and former Ireland rugby international Donncha O’Callaghan on the station's 2FM Breakfast show, which airs from 6am to 9am on weekdays.
O'Connell replaces Garrihy who said she decided to leave the station “for ventures new”.
The slot vacated by The 2 Johnnies and their show will be taken over by Lottie Ryan and David O'Reilly.
The pair's new show will air from 3pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Tipperary duo The 2 Johnnies — Johnny B and Johnny Smacks — said time was a major factor in their decision to leave.
"If we ever want to have our lives back, unfortunately radio was the one that had to go. And we loved doing it," said Johnny B.
Johnny Smacks noted money was not an issue, saying the radio was "never our main gig".
As announced last week, Laura Fox will step into the slot left vacant by Jennifer Zamparelli for the mid-morning slot from 9am to 12pm on weekdays.
The will be followed by the programme from 12pm until 3pm each day.
"We are very happy that for the summer we are strengthening our schedule with 2FM homegrown talent with Aifric, Lottie and David," said head of 2FM Dan Healy.
"2FM has always been programmed with a mix of presenters who have learnt their craft here with personalities from outside who have built a profile with younger audiences."
Mr Healy said 2FM was an "audience-first" station, and its new summer schedule had been constructed with the audience in mind.
He also said 2FM had "the most exciting mission in RTÉ".
"Our mission is to inform and entertain younger audiences with wonderful music, chat and sport. The summer is full of music and sport and that is where we will be," he added.
"We will be working hard to continue to build a station with the next generation of 2FM presenters and there's no shortage of those."
