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RTE

Here's why the 2 Johnnies are leaving their show on RTÉ 2fm, they say

Johnny Smacks and Johnny B will present their last episode of the show next Friday.

THE 2 JOHNNIES, who announced this week that they are soon leaving their RTÉ 2fm radio show Drive It, have said they are giving up the slot because “something has to go”.

The podcasters are attributing their departure to their busy schedules and have waved off suggestions it is related to new regulations at the national broadcaster.

Johnny McMahon and Johnny O’Brien, better known as Johnny Smacks and Johnny B, will present their last episode of the show next Friday.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio One this morning, the pair said they had looked at their schedule of podcasts, live shows and other commitments and decided that “if we want to ever have our lives back, unfortunately radio was going to have to go”. 

The announcement that the 2 Johnnies were leaving the 2fm formed part of a string of high-profile departures from the station. Doireann Garrihy announced earlier this month that she was leaving her breakfast show after five years at 2fm, while Jennifer Zamparelli is leaving after more than a decade. 

2fm chief executive Dan Healy has faced questions about whether the departures are linked to new rules at RTÉ aimed at identifying conflicts of interest, including work done by presenters by other brands or organisations and any payment received for external activities. 

The 2 Johnnies insisted today that their decision to leave was not linked to the new system.

“It’s always been the case that when you sign an RTÉ contract that you have to get permission for outside work. That’s always happened anyway and we’ve still done it and you can on our Instagram and listen to our podcast where you’ll hear the deals that we’ve done, so it’s no secret for us,” they said.

The new register of interests “wasn’t something that came into our minds when we made this decision to change”. 

“We came in to do a job, which was to bring up the ratings. We’ve done that – what more can we do?” 

They added that their previous contract had ended in February.

The presenters said the door is open for them to go back in the future and that they are leaving the station on good terms, but are sad for themselves, the team behind the scenes, and for the listeners that their time at the station is ending. 

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    Mute Pat Corrigan
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    Feb 13th 2020, 9:55 PM

    “No shots fired in Longford today” would be more of a surprise headline…

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    Mute Blind Faith
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    Feb 13th 2020, 10:31 PM

    Same few feuding families every time in these incidents, the media pitch it like its all that happens around here . . It’s not a fare or accurate reflection of genuine Longford folk.

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    Mute Atlas' burden
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    Feb 14th 2020, 4:13 AM

    @Blind Faith: in fairness, we all know who these families are, it’s just they’re names not mentioned. I’ll give ya clue, it rhymes with slevins and pokes

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    Mute Patabake Kennedy
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    Feb 13th 2020, 10:27 PM

    I would have imagined that a billhook would have been a more traditional weapon.

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    Mute Noel Patten
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    Feb 13th 2020, 9:59 PM

    Fair enough Sham

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    Mute ec coyle
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    Feb 14th 2020, 9:49 AM

    Could Pavee Point intervene in this dispute, gardai are trying their best but they need help

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    Mute Fabio Dillon
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    Feb 14th 2020, 4:36 AM

    Shots fired! – Rick Ross

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Feb 14th 2020, 8:02 AM

    Welcome to the Wild West of Limerick……

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Feb 14th 2020, 8:03 AM

    @Gus Sheridan: and now the baton is passed to Longford!

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    Mute Newtown Flyer
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    Feb 14th 2020, 11:36 AM

    Atlas Burden….more likely rhymes with rum rags….

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