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31st May 2024
04:27pm BST
RTÉ 2FM has unveiled its summer schedule following a series of high-profile exits from the radio station.
In the past month, it was revealed that The 2 Johnnies, Doireann Garrihy and Jennifer Zamparelli were leaving the 2FM shows they hosted.
And while it was already confirmed that Laura Fox would be taking over Zamparelli's slot from 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday, we now know who will be replacing the others.
Instead of Garrihy, Aifric O’Connell - previously a regular contributor to Drive It with The 2 Johnnies - will join Carl Mullan and Donncha O’Callaghan from Tuesday on their 2FM Breakfast slot from 6am to 9am.
This is as well-known RTÉ broadcaster Lottie Ryan and West End actor David O'Reilly will take over the 3pm to 6pm slot of Drive It with The 2 Johnnies with their new show 2FM Drive with Lottie and David.
Speaking about the changes, head of the station Dan Healy said in a statement: "We are very happy that for the summer we are strengthening our schedule with 2FM homegrown talent with Aifric, Lottie and David.
"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.
"It always starts with the audience first and this summer's schedule is built with only them in mind.
"I believe that 2FM has 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. 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."
Earlier in the week, meanwhile, The 2 Johnnies marked the final edition of their show segment Facts vs Smacks - where the pair attempt to avoid humorous punishments - by having some fun with Johnny B's mobile phone.
Specifically, Johnny Smacks and Aifric O'Connell were given permission to send texts from Johnny B's phone to several of his celebrity contacts.
These included singer Lyra, who Johnny B has been shipped with by fans in the past, and music manager Louis Walsh.
The texts sent from Johnny B's phone to Lyra read: "Well girl, it’s been a hard week. You, me, Croagh Patrick and a flask of Barry’s this weekend or next."
She responded back later during the programme: "Do you leave the tea bag in or out?"
Lyra also said: "I am in the studio and I have been told what you are doing. I mean, I should have just replied with 'Yeah, cool'. And sent the Irish media into a frenzy.'"
The text to Louis Walsh asked if he wanted to "go for cocktails" and also read: “Well Louis, now that we have left 2FM we are thinking of trying out for Big Brother, or any career advice is welcome."
Walsh did not respond during the show.
Main image via Sasko Lazarov / Rolling News
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