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21st May 2024
12:35pm BST
RTÉ 2FM has announced that presenting duo The 2 Johnnies are leaving the radio station.
Comprising of Johnny B and Johnny Smacks, the pair have hosted the programme for Drive It with The 2 Johnnies for over two years.
In a statement, however, on Tuesday (21 May), RTÉ 2FM announced that the show will come to an end on 31 May.
“After two very successful years, The 2 Johnnies are leaving 2FM," Dan Healy, head of RTÉ 2FM, said.
"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."
He also said: “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”.
In the same statement, The 2 Johnnies said that they had "unreal craic" and "loved" their time at the radio station.
"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," Johnny Smacks stated.
"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, meanwhile, added: "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 pair also thanked their "unbelievable team" who brought their "crazy ideas to life", their producers and colleagues, as well as their listeners
Following the announcement of The 2 Johnnies departure, RTÈ 2FM has said it will announce its summer schedule in the coming weeks.
Main image via RTE2FM/Instagram
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