RTÉ 2fm
Arrangements for the Coming Weeks on RTÉ 2fm
In response to a significant number of press and media queries regarding arrangements for the slot previously occupied by The Gerry Ryan Show, RTÉ Radio wishes to confirm the following interim arrangements:
From Monday 10th May (9am to 12 noon), RTÉ 2fm presenter Colm Hayes and RTÉ presenter Lucy Kennedy will host The Colm & Lucy Show. The programme, which will be produced by the current Gerry Ryan Show production team, will run for four weeks. Within that period it is expected that a further announcement regarding the long-term future of the slot will be made.
Says John McMahon, Head of 2fm: “We have all been devastated by the death of Gerry Ryan. It is particularly painful to have to turn our minds to practicalities, but that is the unfortunate situation we find ourselves in. We understand the desire of the media, the industry and indeed Gerry’s listeners, to know what they can expect in the Gerry Ryan Show slot in the coming weeks.
I have been moved by the hugely helpful response from colleagues within RTÉ 2fm and RTÉ generally; I would like to thank Colm Hayes for agreeing to temporarily separate from on-air partner Jim-Jim; and I would like to thank Lucy Kennedy for agreeing so readily to host the show for the next four weeks.
To Gerry’s listeners I would like to say: Gerry will not be forgotten. Yes, this is a new show, but we will continue our commitment to many of the items Gerry’s listeners loved. We’ll keep up the allotment, Nob Nation will continue at 10am with the irrepressible Oliver Callan, and Colm and Lucy will open the line to callers for their own unique style of chat. We hope too to bring loyal listeners some of Gerry’s best moments from over the years.
The show goes on, albeit with a heavy heart.”
Says Colm Hayes: “It is both an honour and a privilege to be asked to assist in the 9-12 slot for the next few weeks. Lucy and I both know that we can’t fill the great man’s shoes, but we hope to brighten the tough morning’s ahead. I had the pleasure of working with Gerry on The G Ryan Show in the early days; and of course Jim-Jim and I looked forward everyday to our ‘handover’ to Gerry. It’s with a sense of keeping the show on the road – something Gerry would have wanted – that we all head into the next few weeks.”
Lucy Kennedy has said: “When I did my recent stint on 2fm with Baz, little did I know I would be back so soon. I’m honoured to be asked and look forward to speaking with Gerry’s listeners in the coming weeks.”
Jim Nugent will present The Colm & Jim-Jim Breakfast Show with 2fm broadcaster Paddy McKenna. Says Jim-Jim: “It’ll be a new experience handing over to Colm every morning. Colm, Paddy, Lucy and myself really want to keep mornings on 2fm special. The great man is in our thoughts; so too are his listeners. The next few weeks will be tough but we hope we can brighten them too.”
In announcing the interim arrangements, Head of 2fm John McMahon emphasised that the new plans were a temporary schedule set to run for 4 weeks. It is expected that a longer-term announcement will be made in the coming weeks.
RTÉ’s thoughts continue to be with the family and friends of Gerry Ryan, his colleagues and listeners. The Gerry Ryan Tribute Page is at www.rte.ie/gerryryan
ENDS
07 May 2010
Joseph Hoban, Communications Manager, RTÉ Radio, 086 8128662, joseph.hoban@rte.ie
Sandra Byrne, Senior Press Officer, RTÉ Radio, 087 2493048, Sandra.byrne@rte.ie
Notes
2fm Interim Weekday Daytime Schedule
6.00 – 9.00 am The Colm & Jim-Jim Breakfast Show, with Paddy McKenna
9.00 – 12.00 pm The Colm and Lucy Show
12.00 – 3.00 pm Rick O’Shea
3.00 – 4.00 pm Larry Gogan’s Golden Hour
4.00 – 7.00 pm The Will Leahy Show
7.00 – 9.00 pm The Dave Fanning Show