Jennifer Zamparelli opens up about ‘heartbreak’ as she reveals why she quit 2FM

The mum of two confirmed her decision to leave her morning programme at the RTE music station after five years in May.

The news came shortly after it was revealed that podcast stars The 2 Johnnies and presenter Doireann Garrihy were also leaving their 2Fm shows, sending shockwaves through the broadcaster.

Before Jennifer announced the news, there had been rampant speculation that she would not be returning from her extended leave break, with head of 2fm Dan Healy even telling the Sunday World the rumours were “bullsh*t, bullsh*t, bullsh*t.”

Speaking in her first interview, Jennifer said the decision was “heartbreaking” for her but “something had to give” as RTE couldn’t give her the time she needed off this summer to spend with her children after her husband Lau landed a new job.

“The thing about me and Lau is that we have been a very good team,” the Dancing with the Stars presenter told VIP Magazine in a lengthy interview.

“And Lau has taken the reins for so many years and now he’s on a pretty big job that takes him away; he’s gone 7-7 so I’m single parenting, pretty much. He’s very busy and this is his tie to fly. I needed more time off this summer and RTE just couldn’t give me that.”

She added: “Initially when I did take time off back in April because my dad wasn’t well, RTE were amazing: text messages, phone calls, very supportive…But, look I get it, they need to run a radio station.”

The Dubliner also admitted to VIP Magazine that she misses the show “terribly”.

“I miss the show. I miss the team. I miss the intimacy of radio.”

Jennifer described the decision to leave 2FM as “one of the hardest things I have done.”

“It was so difficult and I was actually having mini panic attacks before decision because I was in such a state of limbo.

“Because at the heart of it, I didn’t want to go, I didn’t want to leave my show. And, it was heartbreaking – it was. But something had to give and unfortunately that was it.”

While she has been busy with work since leaving the show, Jennifer told VIP the difference is that she can now prioritise her family life.

“Lau’s like, are you supposed to be taking a break?’ because I am SO busy. Now anything that is coming in I’m saying yes to. Things I wouldn’t have said yes to before.”

She added: “I’m taking job I can tailor around family life. And that is a joy that’s taken me years to get to. To be able to do that is amazing.”

Jennifer’s announcement to leave her show was made while she was on an extended break from the broadcaster and just weeks after the Sunday World was told she was not leaving.

In a statement, RTÉ said Zamperelli is to “hang up the mic on her daily show.”

The co-host of Dancing With The Stars, along with Doireann Garrihy, presented her own show from 9-12pm weekdays on RTÉ 2FM since May 2019, having joined the station in February 2014 on Breakfast Republic.

Jennifer said in a statement: “I have been working in 2FM for 10 amazing years and now it’s time for me to move on. It has been a really difficult decision to make as I love my team, and of course chatting to you guys (the listeners) every morning.

“From the early starts on Breakfast Republic all those years ago, to opening up the phone lines again from 9-12pm, I have loved every minute. Within this time I have gotten married and had two kids and now I feel it’s their time.

“Florence and Enzo are growing up so fast it’s scary and I really feel now is the time to give them a little more of me, so I won’t be returning to my daily radio show.”

She paid tribute to the team who have worked with her through her ten years at RTÉ 2FM.

Jennifer had been absent from her show for several weeks, but station bosses had insisted that she would be returning and that she was on extended leave with Laura Fox covering for her.

“She’s on leave. It’s bullsh*t. Bullsh*t, bullsh*t, bullsh*t. She’s on leave. It’s farcical,” Healy told us in April.

“She posted on social media that she’s going on holidays.”

Mr Healy told the Sunday World that he has no problem with Jennifer.

“It’s the reverse,” he says. “She’s brilliant, absolutely brilliant. On the breakfast show from the very beginning with Bernard (O’Shea) and Keith – she’s an absolutely brilliant broadcaster. She’s a superstar, absolutely brilliant. It’s absolute nonsense.”

And just weeks later, Jennifer’s agent Lorraine Brennan reiterated her plans to return.

“None of this is substantiated,” Lorraine told the Sunday World in reference to a possible shake-up involving a new co-presenter.

She added: “What Dan Healy told you is correct. Jennifer is coming back.”

Laura Fox has since taken over Jennifer’s morning show on a permanent basis.