Jennifer Zamparelli breaks silence about being tipped to host Liveline on RTE

Irish Daily Mirror

12-05-2025

TV star Jennifer Zamparelli has said she would be "mad" not to consider taking over Liveline - but confirmed RTÉ bosses have not contacted her about replacing Joe Duffy.
The Dubliner is hot favourite to take over the coveted RTÉ Radio 1 slot after Mr Duffy steps down on June 27 after 27 years at the helm on the show.
But Jen broke her silence on the rumours – saying she hasn't been contacted but if she was, she would be 'mad' not to consider the job.
She said: 'I don't know. I'm too busy on holiday. I haven't got any calls. I've been getting many calls, but not from, not from that department as of yet.
'But who knows? I think you'd be mad not to consider, you'd be so scared to take on that role. But you'd need full approval by Joe. Otherwise, you wouldn't have a chance in hell.'
But the Dancing With The Stars host questioned if Liveline could go on without him.
'I was in Porto (for Duffy's announcement). I don't know if Liveline can go on without him, that's the thing.
'You know, there's a new head of audio, and they're great for shaking things up,' said the mother-of-two.
Jen told us she was 'devastated' when she heard Duffy had announced his retirement last week.
She said: 'I am just so devastated, like, I know he was talking about it, and it's time, and he's done so many years, and he wants to get his life back a little bit, but it's just devastating for the public, because Joe is one of the kindest human beings on the planet.
'He paints cards and sends you a little Christmas card and it's just the sweetest thing, and they always come at the right time.
'It's very easy when you've been in the business a while to kind of get caught up in your own bullshit but he's very considerate to new talent and new people that come through the door, and he's very aware of that, and he's very encouraging, and could be a bit of a mentor, and is very supportive - and that's rare in this business.
'I'll always appreciate kind words, the support, the encouragement that he's given me over the years, but he's just, he's just amazing at what he does, you know, and he'll be, he'll be really missed.
'My mam was nearly in tears watching the Late Late Show. He's an institution.'
Jen was speaking at the launch of Re-turn's 'Small Town, Big Difference' campaign, which is calling on community groups, clubs and schools across Ireland to share the inspiring stories of how they are making a big difference in their local area through the deposit return scheme.
The ten best stories will receive a €2,000 donation for their local initiative.
From these winners, five will be selected to star in a local media campaign that celebrates the big difference that the smallest of donations can make.
Speaking about the campaign, Jen said: "I believe that communities are the backbone of our society, so I am absolutely delighted to work with Re-turn to celebrate all the amazing work that is happening across the country and to hear how local initiatives are using the Deposit Return Scheme to make a big difference in their area.
'We really want entries from as many local groups as possible – big or small – so whether you're a knitting circle with a cause, a local dance troupe or sports club champions, we want to hear from you.'
Local community groups have until 5pm on 6 June to submit their story on the Re-turn.ie/Heroes webpage.