RTÉ 2FM have announced that the Drive It with The 2 Johnnies is to come to an end on 31 May.
The news will shock fans of the popular duo who have sold out the 3Arena in the past 12 months, thanks to their hugely popular podcast series.
Johnny Smacks and Johnny B took over the show replacing DJ Jenny Greene in 2022. However, like Doireann Garrihy, who just announced she is also leaving this month, the pair also had a successful podcast on the side as well as other commercial deals.
Head of RTÉ 2Fm, Dan Healy said of the news: “After two very successful years, The 2 Johnnies are leaving 2FM. Johnny B and Johnny Smacks have brought their original South Tipp humour and interesting music choices to 2FM audiences right across Ireland.”
“The listenership for the drivetime show has been very strong from the very start and the most recent listenership results continued that trend. They’ve been a great part of the 2FM family here and we’ll be sad to see them go but wish them well as they continue their adventures”.
Speaking about leaving the station Johnny Smacks said, “We’ve had unreal craic over the last two and half years working on 2FM. We came in with the idea to have a laugh on the afternoons and cheer people up and get more mad scones on the radio from every county in Ireland telling stories and auld yarns. After two and a half years my jaws need a rest from all the laughing.
“Thank you to our unbelievable team who backed us and brought our crazy ideas to life with us, to our brother Aindriú de Paor, our producers/mammies Anita and Caroline and to our on-air sister Aifric O’Connell, the show wouldn’t be what it is without you thank you so much. And the biggest thank you of all is for you the listeners, the show was all about ye, ye made it what it was.”
“So, to Bob in Waterford, geezer John, Mouse and the lads, Pip in Toronto and all our listeners, thanks for laughing along with us. There’s great people working in 2FM and we wish them all the success in the world. Who knows, we may be back on the radio someday, but for now as we say on the show… We’re out the gap!”.
Johnny B added: “We’ve loved our time on the show. The team are legends, our sister Aifric O Connell, the great Aindriú de Paor, Producers Caroline, and Anita.
“Our listeners have been the funniest, maddest, soundest crowd alive. The stories they’ve come on air to tell have been outrageous. It’s made me proud to be Irish to talk with the nation every evening. The Parish Quiz has thrown up some wild characters, we’ve tried to reach every inch of the island of Ireland. We’ll keep the mixer going and the ball pucked out”.
The duo also shared the news on their Instagram page.
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Dan Healy continued: “I want to acknowledge the great content created on the drivetime show by Aifric O’Connell, Aindriú De Paor and Emma Power who shared the airwaves with The 2 Johnnies over the period. Also, a very big thanks to the producers who worked on the show particularly Caroline Clarke and Anita Ward. We are fortunate to have such great talent working at 2FM and with them the station will continue to prosper”.
This is the second big shape up the station has faced in recent weeks, beginning with social media star Doireann Garrihy announcing she was quitting the station.
Doireann and both Johnny Smacks and Johnny B all have successful careers outside of the station, an issue which was highlighted during the controversial RTÈ payments scandal.
There had been multiple calls by the Irish government for RTÈ talent to declare other earnings from side deals, this would have affected all three hosts in the coming year.
There are now fears that more big names will follow suit.
A radio insider told The Irish Sun that RTÉ bosses are concerned other top stars are going to leave the station.
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 told the outlet: “There is no indication Doireann has left because of the new Register of Gifts. But the timing does certainly mean people are asking the question.
“The new rules were only introduced last month. There is a suspicion other big names will look for work elsewhere — where the financial scrutiny is less overbearing.
“Influencers have plenty of work and other options. RTE isn’t the be-all and end-all anymore.”
The news also comes amid Jennifer Zamparelli’s “extended leave”. The Dancing With The Stars co-host was forced to deny reports that the station was looking to give her a new co-presenter, however, it is still unclear when Jennifer is set to return.
When asked when Jennifer is set to return the broadcaster said: “no comment”.
RTÈ 2FM will announce its summer schedule in the coming weeks.
