FORMER RTE 2FM star Jennifer Zamparelli has revealed the two plum radio slots she is keen to takeover at the national broadcaster.
The Dancing With The Stars is taking over from Dave Moore on Today FM this week – marking her first time back on air since she left 2FM.
Jen is back on the radio this week[/caption]
Jen has her sights set on two plum RTE Radio One roles[/caption]
Jennifer officially made her radio comeback yesterday morning as she took over the show for the first time.
And while she covers for the Today FM host, Jen told how similar opportunities at RTE to cover some of her former co-workers slots had not yet materialised.
She told RSVP Magazine: “No, I haven’t been asked. I don’t think many of the 2FM presenters have taken a holiday yet because it’s quite a new schedule.
“But they have plenty of cover in there. They have Lottie Ryan, who is very capable, also Aifric O’Connell and a lot of other people in the building.
“So I think they might give their cover to people who are already there.”
Despite ruling herself out of taking over from Joe Duffy, there are some slots on Radio One which seem to interest the host.
She added: “Maybe, yeah. [Oliver Callan] would actually be a nice one to do. Or Ray D’Arcy’s show could be nice. Who knows?”
Former 2FM host Doireann Garrihy also departed the station at the same time as the mum-of-two.
On Doireann’s departure and eventual return, Jen said: “Doireann has a lot of radio left in her, I think. She did five years with breakfast, so when she said she was going back, it made sense.
“It’s a different type of show she has now and it’s an easier time slot – not an easier show, because there’s no such thing.
“But she loves radio and she has a lot of years left in her. I’m delighted for her. I kind of was surprised with the timeline, it was quite soon. But that’s radio, it’s just bonkers, isn’t it? It’s just mental across the board.”
Jen’s departure announcement from her 2FM role came as a shock to many of her loyal listeners
Since her exit, the mum-of-two has been able to spend more time with her family and enable her husband to expand his work.
RADIO RETURN
Jen told RSVP: “I’ve been having a blast. I was on this kind of treadmill for a long time. It got to the 10-year mark and I said I could easily do another 10 years, but that wasn’t going to leave space for any other opportunities, family time and my marriage.
“I also want my husband Lau to spread his wings with work. It was a choice and it was actually a very easy decision to make in the end. I have zero regrets and I’m in a really good place.”
Jen added that she still sees many of her former coworkers at the station and looks back fondly on her time on the airwaves.
BACK ON AIR
She said: “The fact they invited me back to do my exit chat on my former show with Laura Fox was great. Not many people get to do that.
“They tend to argue over money and then they are gone. I still see all of the 2FM gang and I’ve a lot of respect for Dan Healy [head of 2FM].
“There aren’t many places you can walk back in to and still be friendly with people and shake their hands.”
