JENNIFER ZAMPARELLI SHARES REAL REASON FOR 2FM EXIT AND SPEAKS OUT FOR FIRST TIME: 'I DIDN'T WANT TO GO'
Jennifer Zamparelli has opened up about her shock exit from 2FM for the first time, saying it one of the hardest things she has ever done
She admitted that she didn't want to leave the station, but she had to make the tough decision to go because she needs to spend more time with her children.
The broadcaster revealed why she initially stepped back from her morning show in April, a move that sparked huge speculation over her future with RTÉ.
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Jennifer said: "It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. It was so difficult and I was actually having mini panic attacks before the 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 really was. But something had to give and unfortunately, that was it."
Jen revealed that her initial decision to step back from her radio show was because her dad was ill.
She told VIP Magazine: "The thing about me and Lau is that we have always been a very good team. 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 time to fly. I needed more time off this summer and RTÉ just couldn't give me that. Initially, when I did take time off back in April because my dad wasn't well, RTÉ were amazing: text messages, phone calls, very supportive…[thinking]
"But, look, I get it, they need to run a radio station. Also, I feel after every five years there is a new cycle.
"When I looked back I realised: I was in sales for five years; was in Bristol for five years; ran my studio for five years; did The Breakfast Show and my own show both for five years."
Following her departure, Jen confessed that she misses her 2FM show.
She said: "I miss the team. I miss the intimacy of radio.
"I love the medium of radio and just the live-ness of it which you very rarely get to do in this industry. While there are loads of podcasts, and while podcasts are great, they don't have the immediacy that radio has.
"And Irish people love radio and I love chatting with people."
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