Jennifer Zamparelli has 'absolutely no interest' in Liveline gig
The countdown is well and truly on for a major change at RTÉ as Joe prepares to step down from Liveline after 27 years at the helm.
Duffy will present his final show on Friday, June 27, in what is sure to be an emotional day. His farewell party is set to take place in the Duke Pub in Dublin City Centre right after the show. Joe Duffy. Pic: Mary Browne via RTÉ
Speculation has been growing over who will replace Duffy, with bookies tipping the likes of Katie Hannon, whose current affairs show Upfront has just been scrapped by RTE, to take over.
Oliver Callan, who currently hosts the 9am to 10am slot on RTÉ Radio One, is also gaining serious momentum as the next potential presenter of the iconic phone-in show.
Speaking on Oliver Callan's show on Thursday, former 2FM star Jennifer Zamparelli, whose name has also been thrown into the mix, made it clear where she stands on the matter. Jennifer Zamparelli at the Platinum VIP Style Awards 2025. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Despite previously telling The Irish Sun that she'd be 'mad' not to consider the role, she now told Oliver: 'Absolutely not. No interest, no.'
The Dancing with the Stars host added: 'My view is that nobody can take over from Joe.'
The RTÉ star left her radio gig with 2FM early in 2024 alongside a host of other big names, including The 2 Johnnies, Donncha O'Callaghan and Doireann Garrihy, who has since returned. Jennifer Zamparelli and husband Lauterio. Pic: Jennifer Zamparelli/Instagram
The mother-of-two previously revealed that she was 'content' following her departure and now had some time where she could audition and make room for other exciting projects.
Opening up about her 2FM departure on Thursday, Jennifer told Oliver: 'I did nothing initially. As women, we feel that we need to be doing all things, all the time, we must be busy.'
The Dublin native also revealed she was surprised at the reaction of her children, Florence and Enzo, whom she shares with husband Lauterio, when she told them she was leaving radio.
She said: 'Their reaction was quite surprising, because I've been in radio for 10 years and I've always worked in telly and radio, since they were alive,' adding that Florence was 'disappointed'.
'I was like 'oh my God, did I make the right decision?' You just can't win with kids, you absolutely can't.'
Jennifer added: 'I miss it. I miss being on air. I miss the interaction with people, I miss the craic, I miss my team. But do I have any regrets? I don't think so, because I've been able to do so much other stuff.'
Among the 'other stuff', of course, is Jennifer appearing in The Rocky Horror Show when the beloved musical returns to the Gaiety Theatre in August.
The presenter and comic joins Jason Donovan who will return to the role of Frank N'Furter for the stage production.
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