THE FORMER presenter of RTÉ 2fm’s breakfast programme, JimJim Nugent, has quit in advance of a shake-up of the station’s schedule that will be announced today.
Nugent (38) presented the
Colm and JimJim Breakfast Show
for three years on 2fm, but announced his resignation yesterday in a Youtube clip that he posted online. It shows a computer-generated version of CNN presenter Larry King announcing Nugent’s departure because he had been made an offer by RTÉ that “he couldn’t possibly accept”.
The new presenter of the morning slot will be announced this morning.
Informed sources said it would be comedian and broadcaster Hector Ó hEochagáin, who co-hosts a Saturday morning show on 2fm with Meath comedian Tommy Tiernan. They were brought in by new 2fm head John McMahon in one of his first acts in charge.
Nugent said he had been offered other slots on 2fm, but felt it was time to leave. He and co-presenter Colm Hayes had worked together for 10 years.
“I felt a change was as good as a rest,” he said. He intends to pursue his fledgling career as a stand-up comedian.
“I don’t think they get what I do as much as what other people would,” he said, referring to RTÉ management.
“I had to think long and hard about it because it is a big door to close, but I didn’t really feel like the next move was going to be in 2fm. There is plenty of opportunities. Doing stand-up has opened my eyes to a whole new world.”
Nugent and Hayes were poached from FM104 in 2007 to present the morning programme, having won a huge audience and a slew of awards with their Strawberry Alarm Clockshow, but their partnership was broken up in the wake of the death in May of broadcaster Gerry Ryan.
Nugent continued to anchor the morning programme with Paddy McKenna. Hayes partnered Lucy Kennedy in Ryan’s old slot while management at 2fm worked on revamping the programme.
Ryan Tubridy has been confirmed for a new 9-11am slot. There are reports that Hayes will take on a new slot from 11am.
Nugent said the death of Ryan had caused widespread shock at the station.
“Everything has changed since Gerry died . . . There is nobody else who can do what he did.”