The presenting duo appear to have had a sudden change of heart.
The 2 Johnnies have reportedly said they “can’t imagine” a return to RTÉ 2FM following their shock departure from the station a few months ago.
Around the time of their exit, the presenting duo appeared on The Brendan O’Connor Show and cited a busy schedule as the main reason for them leaving radio.
The pair also told O’Connor that they were leaving RTÉ 2FM on “good terms” and that they believed they “will be back on radio someday”.
The latter seems to have changed, however, based on quotes reportedly from The 2 Johnnies in a new RTÉ Guide interview.
Speaking about their departure, Johnny Smacks is said to have told the outlet: “We left with a heavy heart, we loved the show and as the ratings showed, it was the highest rated show on 2FM, and the first time since 2017 that a 2FM show had out-ranked a Today FM show.
“So, we did the job we were brought into do. Would we have stayed? We’ll never know. Will we be back? I can’t imagine it.”
According to reports, he cited the “level of scrutiny” national radio presenters currently face as a reason for why he and his co-host do not think they will return to 2FM.
“The landscape of radio has changed, you look back at the Gerry Ryan and Gay [Byrne] era, they weren’t legends after one or two years, they were allowed the time to grow and be there for 30 years,” Johnny Smacks reportedly explained.
“And the way the internet goes now, Twitter is going to come for everyone someday. So you have to ask, if the internet decides it’s going for a presenter, is that station and management and sponsor going to have that person’s back.”
Johnny B is also said to have added: “So, a lot of that will decide if a person will be on air for a long time.”
Back in May, The 2 Johnnies were quick to dismiss speculation that their exit from 2FM was down to new rules being introduced at RTÉ.
At the time, O’Connor asked the pair: “There’s a lot of speculation that tighter rules that RTÉ have brought in around outside work and outside income, declaring gifts and all that…”
The 2 Johnnies then interrupted the host, by stating: “Never mind that.”
They then added: “We’re not influencers, Brendan. We’re not going off getting our eyebrows done and stuff like that and posting about it. The more power to people who are.
“I mean, it’s always been the case that when you sign an RTÉ contract that you have to get permission for outside work. So, that’s always happened anyway and we’ve still done it.
“You can go on our Instagram, you can listen to our podcast where you will hear the deals that we’ve done, so it’s no secret for us.
“This register of interests, that wasn’t something that came into our minds when making this decision to change, genuinely.”
The 2 Johnnies will be returning to TV screens for RTÉ next month with the second season of their show The 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock In.
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