'There is life beyond RTÉ,' says sacked DJ

Jennifer Bray

Off the air: Former 2fm DJ Nikki Hayes

Former 2fm DJ Nikki Hayes, who was dropped last month, has criticised station management, claiming she deserved more courtesy considering the loyalty she showed.

Speaking for the first time since she was controversially axed, Hayes said she is still devastated over her treatment in her final hours with the station.

"John McMahon [head of 2FM] came into a meeting with me and spent a minute and a half with me. In that minute and a half he basically said there was no space for the kind of show I was doing but that I was great DJ and that I would as of that moment no longer be presenting."

Hayes said she went into shock after being told the news.

"The initial moment that I was told I broke down crying. My producer came in and hugged me and I went into a bit of shock about it all because I turned around to her and told her I had to go home and walk my dog."

According to the DJ, RTÉ failed to recognise her loyalty after over seven years working for the station.

"I feel that after all the loyalty I have shown them that I deserved so much more courtesy. I worked five Christmas days, sacrificed time with my dad when he was dying, let relationships fall apart and all because I made RTÉ my number one priority.

"After all that, they wouldn't even let me say goodbye to my listeners who have been very loyal to me. They could have let me present a final show, but they decided to just let me go there and then with no explanation."

She said that working with the national broadcaster can be over-hyped.

"When the RTÉ cocoon comes away things finally begin to become clear. You become almost institutionalised and think that the station is the be all and end all.

"It is only when you step away that it becomes clear that it is the opposite. There is so much beyond them. Even TV3 and Newstalk, places like that, are excellent broadcasters."

Hayes said she will return to the airwaves over the coming weeks and will be bringing her listeners with her.

"I will be back very soon, and I will be taking my listeners with me, such is the relationship we have all built up."

September 19, 2010

Comments

#1 Julie Roche commented, on September 19, 2010 at 7:41 p.m.:

Good for you Nikki Hayes ! You have a huge following that will certainly be going with you ...... You were the only one with the wit and charm to replace the late, great Gerry Ryan.....2FM have made a huge mistake, not only in letting you go, but the cruel and heartless way in which they did so.....

#2 Ger Neill commented, on September 19, 2010 at 9:36 p.m.:

Not only is Nikki Hayes my idol, I class her a real true friend, I listened to Nikki since she joined ''Cruel Fm'' in November 2003, On this date, ''Cruel Fm'' was brought to a new level as they just took on the best radio Dj that was ever heard on Irish radio, She accumulated the largest amount of fans ever next to the late Gerry ryan, She was so dedicated to her job and even more to the most important people, her fans the listeners,
She actually had to set up a second facebook page because she ran out of room for fans on her first page, If thats not dedication I don't know what is, Me along with over 5000 fans are devastated over all of this, she was treated like ****, And her fans will not stand for it, I myself will no longer listen to ''cruel fm'' And im sure most of her fans will be doing the same, I will end with the words of the great Nikki Hayes,
Thers is so much beyond ''THEM''
Love you always Nikki x x x
Your no.1 fan x x x
Ger x x x

#3 Luke Donegan commented, on September 19, 2010 at 10:33 p.m.:

We will all be supporting you Nikki 100%

I only ever listened to "THEM" as Ger called them, because of you. You are an amazing DJ and an even more amazing person and you deserve so much better.

#4 Ciarán Hughes commented, on September 20, 2010 at 1:28 a.m.:

I'm honestly cannot understand what goes through the minds of RTE. Nikki Hayes was the one DJ that could brighten up anyones day with just the sound of her voice, and that's before you listen to the brilliant person she is. She gave everthing to the station, and they still did this to her. Not even giving her a chance to say goodbye to the 10's of thousands of listeners that love her
They did the same thing to Marty Whelan if i remember correctly, ringing him when he was on holidays to say he was dropped, when he was doing a brilliant job on the morning show.
RTE can count the cost of letting her go, when they realise how many people will boycott the station after their best presenters absense

#5 Jaker commented, on September 20, 2010 at 1:54 a.m.:

I am not a Radio 2 listener but I do wish the lady in question a great future where ever she happens to DJ next. Radio 1 & 2 are getting beyond themselves in thinking they're the "jam on our eggs". But they're just the same as any other radio station in the world in that it's the listener's who "Rule". That fact, they better "Heed".

#6 Eamonreillydotcom commented, on September 20, 2010 at 10:26 a.m.:

Wherever you go Nikki, my radio dial will be heading there too.

#7 pat martin commented, on September 20, 2010 at 10:51 a.m.:

shame on 2fm they have made a huge mistake in losing nikki hayes , nikki was the best dj on rte and would have you smiling when telling some of her own personal stories , i always laugh when remembering her telling of washing in a pot of water one weekend , 2fm's loss will be another stations gain and i will be tuning in , best of luck nikki wherever you end up x x

#8 Theresa commented, on September 20, 2010 at 1:05 p.m.:

shouldnt we wait for a reply from 2fm first to see what they have to say before making up our minds? its always helpful to listen to both sides.only nikki and the 2fm bosses know what happened in that meeting, might just be more to it than meets the eye.

#9 Derek O Sullivan commented, on September 20, 2010 at 5:20 p.m.:

This shock decision has left thousands of people stunned, gutted and saddened. Her personality is amazing happy and bubbly and she injects that onto her listeners everytime she is on air, and not to forget her music was first class. There are times I maybe down, sad or in bad humour and if Nikki is on air I would jump into the car and go for a spin everytime returning with a smile on my face and a bounce in my step. I dont usually do these kind of e mails but have been listening to her for years since her weekday all request lunch. As a sales rep I do a lot of driving and radio is important to me. When Nikki was on air it was as if I had this warm bright happy bubbly person sitting next to me keeping me company and playing great music in between, it made a 3 hour trip seem like 10 minutes. Love ya loads and loads Nikki xxxx

#10 Spudz commented, on September 21, 2010 at 12:21 a.m.:

Havent Listend to 2 FM since you left huni .you were just an ispiration to listen to when on Air .Best of Luck in the Future in what every you do and Take Care...xx

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