15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ex 2FM star on his new radio gig and landing lead role in hit Broadway musical
Former 2FM star David O'Reilly has opened up about his shock departure – saying he needed to 'spread my wings' after schedule change-ups at the station.
In May 2024, David was announced alongside Lottie Ryan as replacement for The 2 Johnnies, who quit their Drivetime show.
But another schedule change, meant another change-up again for 2FM stars and David revealed RTE bosses could only offer him a contributor contract at the time.
Doireann Garrihy now hosts the slot on Drivetime.
David told us: 'They brought in a new schedule, and I wasn't offered a show and that's OK. I was offered a contributor contract, and they were very kind about it. They offered me that and cover [work].'
But the actor said he wanted to 'spread my wings' and decided to leave 2FM and join FM104, where he was offered a weekend show alongside comedian Enya Martin, called Gerrup Outta Dat with Enya and David.
'For me, I wanted to spread my wings. It felt like the right time for me to say 'thank you so much, I'm really grateful but it's time to move on'.
'I got an opportunity to work at FM104, and I really couldn't turn it down, getting to work with Enya Martin on Saturday mornings 10am until 1pm.
'I actually cannot tell you how much I love working over there. It is such an amazing building and the people are amazing.
'I was able to take the stuff I learned from 2FM and bring it with me but also learn new stuff from FM104 as well.'
David said he feels like he's now living his dream as he juggles being a radio host and an actor. He is set to take on the role of Seymour Krelborn in the Bord Gais' Little Shop Of Horrors.
'It might sound a bit cheesy, I feel like I'm living the dream at the moment. A lot of people ask me 'Do I want to get on daytime?' but I am so content where I am on the radio.
'I get to flex that muscle and act on the side as well. I've just finished a TV series at the moment as well as doing this show at the Bord Gais.
'How amazing I get to do Little Shop of Horrors and Saturday morning radio show. I'm very grateful but down the line, who knows what'll happen or how that show will evolve as well.
'There's also a great culture in there at the moment as well which is fab.'
David was speaking at the full cast reveal of Broadway's smash-hit musical Little Shop of Horrors, which is coming to the Bord Gais in Dublin from July 25 until August 9.
The star will take on the role of Seymour in the hit musical alongside rising star Jacqueline Brunton as Audrey.
This will mark the first full-scale musical theatre production produced in-house by Bord Gais Energy Theatre, in partnership with TheatreworX.
Featuring an entirely Irish cast and creative team, the production represents a landmark moment for Irish musical theatre and a bold new chapter for the theatre itself.
David is no stranger to the stage, having appeared in the likes of One Man, Two Guvnors, Catherine Tate Live, The Book of Mormon, Grease and Lady Windermere's Fan.
Speaking about taking part in the show, David said: 'I was at the launch of the new season last year. I was there as a radio presenter. They announced all these shows, and they announced this.
'The team said they still remember my face. It dropped. It just felt like a full circle moment. The last time I was on stage in Ireland as a kid, it was in Little Shop of Horrors and my audition song to get into theatre school in London was Little Shop of Horrors.
'I emailed straight away wanting to know the audition process and then I met the team and auditioned.'
The cast includes former Love/Hate star Johnny Ward as Orin, Game of Thrones star Garry Mountaine as Mr. Mushnik, The Imperium Stone's Jacqueline Brunton as Audrey and Kenneth O'Regan as the voice of Audrey II.
Tickets are available to buy now.
