2fm dumps DJs in schedule shake-up

Broadcasters Jim Jim Nugent and Nikki Hayes are both leaving 2fm as the station repositions itself to appeal to a new audience.

Ken Sweeney Entertainment Reporter

2FM DJ Nikki Hayes has been axed by RTE without being given any opportunity to say farewell to her listeners, it emerged last night.

Hayes and 'Breakfast Show' presenter Jim Jim Nugent are to leave 2fm in a shake-up ahead of a new schedule.

Last Monday RTE management informed presenters of changes which will see some broadcasters moved to new slots, and others leave the station.

Thirty-one-year-old Hayes was told in a meeting with station management on Monday that she was leaving the station.

A short while later she was seen in an emotional state on the steps of the radio building in RTE being embraced by colleagues.

An insider said the DJ had been "particularly upset" because, although she will remain working with the station until the end of the month, RTE had decided to take her off the air immediately, preventing her from saying goodbye to her loyal listeners.

The same insider claimed that the DJ had been informed that the reason for her departure from 2fm was because the station was repositioning itself to appeal to 20-to-44-year-olds.

Another departure was that of Breakfast DJ Jim Jim Nugent. Despite saying goodbye to listeners on his morning show last Friday, RTE had insisted he was staying with the station.

"RTE made me a number of offers, but I think now is the right time to do my own thing," said Nugent.

The 38-year-old denied reports he was about to sign with a Dublin radio station, or of a rift with co-presenter Colm Hayes, who is remaining at 2fm and with whom he worked for the past 10 years.

"Myself and Colm remain great friends," he said.

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