Irish comedy duo The 2 Johnnies have announced their impending departure from RTE 2FM after two-and-a-half years on the air.
The Tipperary pair, who built a significant following - particularly in the GAA community - through their podcast, landed a slot on the national broadcaster called Drive It With The 2 Johnnies back in 2022.
They have now taken to their socials to reveal the news of their departure from RTE 2Fm at the end of this month, in a development that has surprised many.
The 2 Johnnies to leave RTE 2FM
Latest figures indicated that their show was attracting 151,000 listeners, as per Joint National Listenership Researach figures reported by RTE.
However, they will depart the broadcast after issuing a statement confirming the news on social media.
Hiya lads, next Friday will be our last day on Drive It with The 2 Johnnies on 2fm.
"A very sad day for us, we’ve loved doing the show with ye all. The people who’ve come on air and told us wild stories, the parish quiz, the craic has been outrageous.
"Thanks so much to our team who’ve made it all possible. Aifric, Andrew, Caroline and Anita. Legends.
"Looking forward to the next adventure, Pints In A Field 2, our debut album, our world tour and The 2 Johnnies Podcast will keep shuttering every week forever!!!
"Big love. Out the gap. 2J."
They are not the only high profile exit from RTE 2FM, with Doireann Garrihy also set to leave the station.
The 2 Johnnies will continue with their other projects, including their podcast which brought them to prominence prior to landing their gig with RTE.
They are set to host a live show at St Anne's Park In Dublin before touring the USA, Canada and Australia later this year.
There has been a large response to their news on social media, with plenty of people giving their take.
I won't lie, other than the catfish podcast, I've never listened to the the 2 Johnnies. But seemingly them leaving 2fm is a big deal! #The2Johnnies #2fm pic.twitter.com/3Y6h0E7GxQ
— Niall O'Loughlin Artist (@nialloloughlin) May 21, 2024
First Doireann Garrihy and now the 2 Johnnies. The RTE politburo need to be hauled before another Dail committee.
— Eoin Dineen (@Eoin__Dineen) May 21, 2024
Whatever you think of The 2 Johnnies, they took the language of the building site and put it on National Radio.
Glass ceiling literally smashed .— Pete Farrell 🇧🇹 (@PeteFarrell14) May 21, 2024
The 2 johnnies, Toni Kroos and Simon Zebo . All in one day. This day can’t get any worse
— Mark James Murray🚀🔰 (@markomurray1) May 21, 2024
Their intitial hiring by RTE soon came with controversy, The 2 Johnnies famously drawing a major backlash after posting a video on social media widely deemed to be sexist.
The clip - which was not part of their 2FM show but was put out on their podcast socials during their time as RTE presenters - featured the duo reading out sexist bumper stickers and decals provided by podcast listeners, such as ‘Tyres are like women... No good unless they are Squeelin'.’
The two men - John O'Brien and John McMahon - subsequently released an apology statement in which they lamented their actions.
Nonetheless, one suspects they will continue to boast a large presence regardless of the fact they will be leaving a major slot in Irish radio.
