Jennifer Zamparelli has revealed the real reason she’s leaving RTÉ 2FM after 10 years in an emotional statement.
The popular presenter announced her exit from the station on Thursday evening, following the recent departures of Doireann Garrihy and The 2 Johnnies.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Jennifer wrote: “Some news!! So..I have been working in 2fm for 10 amazing years and now it’s time for me to move on.”
“It’s been a really difficult decision to make as I love my team, and of course chatting to you guys every morning. From the early starts on Breakfast Republic all those years ago to opening up the phone lines again, I have loved every minute (yep even broadcasting from my wardrobe during Covid).
“Within this time I have gotten married, 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.
“Firstly the thank yous!! (Brace yourself these can be unbelievably boring if you don’t know the people but to me so important to say as I’m not on air to do it)
“Thank you to all the producers and bco’s who helped over the years. You know who you are. Thank you to my so solid crew for all the support and the laughs … Producer Kate with your wicked sense of humour and keeping me out of the courts I’m forever grateful,” she continued.
“Producer Jon Jon I was so blessed to work with you 2fm are lucky to have ya, Killian the voice of reason but one of the funniest people I have ever met, Graham, me aul pal thanks for all the content and being able to take a slagging you made us a little ‘cooler’. 😂
“Doc, you’re a legend and a great man to have a pint with and Cormac, my god how I’ll miss our mini therapy sessions and will always think of you when I see a scone. Lovely to work with a true rock star.. see you at the next Kerb Dog gig.
“And a massive shout out to my girls, best girl Lottie, the force that is Eithne and a true friend Susie ❤️ Thanks to Paul and Dan 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 for this next chapter and also to see what happens next with the station .. I will be tuning in for sure,” Jennifer wrote.
The presenter proceeded to share photos documenting her time with the station, and added: “Was so hard to choose but for context the last video of Florence was in Covid, I was working from home and she stole my phone, pretending to be on the radio. 😂 It always makes me laugh
“I’m not crying you’re crying 🥹🥹 Big love JZ ❤️.”
Jennifer’s departure was confirmed by RTÉ this evening, revealing the radio station has now lost four of its top stars.
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, who has been on “extended leave” over the past few weeks, 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 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 comes 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.
