Lottie Ryan is remaining tight lipped on speculation she’s set to replace her pal Jennifer Zamparelli on RTÉ 2FM.
The popular presenter confirmed she was leaving the station on Thursday evening, following the recent departures of Doireann Garrihy and The 2 Johnnies.
Jennifer has presented her own show from 9-12pm weekdays on RTÉ 2FM since May 2019, a slot previously held by Lottie’s late father and beloved broadcaster Gerry Ryan.
Since Jennifer confirmed her exit from 2FM, Lottie has been hotly tipped to replace her.
The Dublin native has long expressed her desire for her own prime time show on the station, after years of working for the broadcaster.
The 38-year-old would be a fitting replacement as she is a close friend of Jennifer, and she would be stepping into the shoes of her late dad, who passed away suddenly in 2010 at the age of 53.
A source has told Goss.ie: “Everyone feels it’s truly Lottie’s time now, including Jen herself. This exact slot used to be Gerry Ryan’s so who could be more fitting to replace him than his own daughter?”
“Lottie has been at the station over a decade now and she has been looking for more opportunities to prove herself, this is the ultimate test.
“Bosses want to go back to nourishing homegrown talent in the station and giving broadcasters a chance, instead of seeking out influencers with a big following.
“Lottie really wanted Dancing with the Stars but lost out to Doireann Garrihy, this really could be her time to shine now.”
While she is a clear favourite to take over from Jen, Lottie told Goss.ie she couldn’t comment on the matter when contacted this morning.
With many names being thrown in the hat to replace Jennifer, Doireann and The 2 Johnnies, bosses at 2FM are keeping any possible replacements firmly under wraps.
But with Jennifer already gone and Doireann and The 2 Johnnies finishing up at the end of this month, the pressure is on to fill their spots quickly.
Our insider added: “Bosses are keen to not leak any replacements yet and are keeping decisions close to their chest, but there’s no denying they have a different approach to who they will be offering roles to for the next 12 months.”
Jennifer returned to her RTÉ 2FM show for the final time on Friday morning, after announcing her exit from the station.
The mother-of-two, who has been on extended leave over the past few weeks, revealed she decided to leave 2FM after 10 years in order to spend more time with her children.
The popular presenter returned to her 9am-12pm slot, which is being hosted by Laura Fox in the interim, to say goodbye to her listeners.
The presenter said: “I would like to say it’s been an absolute pleasure.”
“Thank you for letting me grow as a presenter, and I wouldn’t be the broadcaster I am today on Dancing with the Stars, or on telly, or running businesses, if I didn’t have the opportunity in radio because doing a live show every single day is not easy, but it is the most amazing experience, you know.”
“And I have laughed. I’ve met some of the greatest friends. You have my back.”
Jennifer added: “I will be tuning in, that’s all I’m going to say, because I think the best is yet to come.”
Jennifer’s departure was confirmed by RTÉ on Thursday evening – meaning the radio station has now lost four of its top stars.
There are now fears more presenters will follow suit.
Following the payments scandal last year, the broadcaster has introduced a number of strict rules for their talent – including the new Register of Gifts.
Employees and contractors with RTÉ are now required to declare gifts above a value of €50, and must declare any conflicts of interest.
This has reportedly ruffled some feathers with their top stars, as they could lose out on lucrative sponsorship deals by working for the national broadcaster.
A source previously told the Irish Sun: “This is a poker game between the talent and RTE. None of the talent will sign these new contracts and agree to this new register of interests.”
“Because the brands won’t work with RTE stars if they have to declare what they are getting paid.”
“For instance, do you think a discount supermarket will want it getting out they are paying an RTE stars €10,000 to turn up to do an opening, when their own staff might be getting €10 an hour?”
“The blame really is down to Director General Kevin Bakhurst caving into every demand from the Government. He was warned big stars in RTE would walk, that he’d lose The 2 Johnnies if the register of interests was brought in, but he went ahead anyway.
“Now no one will sign these new contracts — and stars are leaving.”
On Thursday night, fans confessed they were “gutted” over Jennifer’s sudden departure from RTÉ 2FM, amid a “purge” of the station’s top presenters.
The presenter had been on “extended leave” from her weekday show over the past few weeks, which lead to speculation she wouldn’t be returning.
After confirming the news on Instagram, Jennifer was inundated with messages from devastated listeners.
One fan commented: “Absolutely gutted and dreading this was coming. Love your show. Mornings won’t be the same. Best of the for your next chapter ❤️.”
Another wrote: “Knew this was coming. Gutted. You were a breath of fresh air.”
A third listener commented: “What is happening😭gutted with this news but wish u all the luck and love @jenzamparelli ❤️.”
A fourth added: “Devastated 😢I listen to you every morning! They won’t find anyone as hilarious as you😭 Wishing you every success xx.”
Another comment on 2FM’s Instagram page read: “What is going on? First dioreann , the two Jonny’s and now Jenn?? The 2FM purge …😨😨.” [sic]
Jennifer has presented her own show from 9-12pm weekdays on RTÉ 2FM since May 2019. She joined the station in February 2014 on Breakfast Republic.
Jennifer said in a statement shared by RTÉ: “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.”
Jennifer also paid tribute to the team who have worked with her through her ten years at RTÉ 2FM.
“Thank you to all the producers and BCOs who helped over the years. Thank you to my team for all the support and the laughs. Thanks to Paul Russell and Dan Healy for being so understanding of me needing my family time and for the opportunity to be on 2FM for 10 years. I’m so excited to see what happens next with the station … I will be tuning in for sure,” she added.
The news came just days after Jennifer was forced to deny speculation she wouldn’t be returning to the station, amid rumours surrounding her future on the show.
Alongside her 2FM show, Jennifer co-hosts Dancing with the Stars with Doireann Garrihy on RTÉ One.
It’s currently unknown if either of the presenters will return to the show in 2025.
Head of RTÉ 2FM Dan Healy said: “After an amazing 10 years on 2FM, Jen has decided to leave the station. Funny, bold, and brave, Jen has been front and centre of 2FM from The Breakfast Republic Show to her brilliant own Jennifer Zamparelli Show.
“In February 2014, 2FM changed direction to appeal to younger audiences and Jen was key to achieving our goal. I want to thank her deeply for her energy and commitment to 2FM.”
“It has been a privilege to work with such an amazingly talented person. I wish Jen, Lau and their gang all the best for the future and will cheer for Jen loudly in the next phase of her sparkling career.”
Dan continued: “Also, a big thanks to the producers who worked with Jen over the years – Dave Sherry on Breakfast Republic and Kate Proctor, Eithne Kelly, Anita Ward and Jon Jon Mehigan on The Jen Zamparelli Show and of course the rest of our colleagues who worked so hard on the shows.”
RTÉ 2FM will announce further details on its summer schedule in the coming weeks.
