Former 2FM DJ Keith Walsh has leapt to the defence of The 2 Johnnies after the pair received heavy criticism over a controversial promotional clip.
The duo were accused of airing ‘sexist and insulting comments’ in their podcast and clips used to promote their new show on 2FM.
The pair have apologised for sharing the comments, which include video clips from their latest podcast on Spotify, titled ‘Hocus Pocus, Your Girl’s In My Focus’.
In the audio, the duo known as Johnny Smacks and Johnny B, discuss a number of crude references about women on car bumper stickers.
In a segment they called ‘Irish Car Stickers’, the Tipperary natives - real names Johnny McMahon, 30, and Johnny O’Brien, 35, - read out some of the sticker slogans sent in by listeners, such as: “Workin’ the land and droppin’ the hand #Keephercountry”.
Others included: “Tyres are like women, no good unless they are squealing” and “She’s not a princess, she’s a sl*t.”
But former 2FM disc-spinner Keith has taken to social media to call for "context" on the clips.
He tweeted: "I’ll probably not be doing myself any favours here, and it’s not like I need to be sticking up for 2FM, and I don’t even know the 2 lads. But. It’s all about context. Here’s what actually happened.
"The lads were reading out ‘Dreadful’ car stickers that ‘boy/girl racers’.
"They were themselves using words like ‘scandalous’ and yes they were laughing but at how bad these stickers were and ‘why would you put them on your car?’ The word ‘slut’ was on a car sticker that a girl called Jane had put on her own car about herself - which they clearly state and are surprised about.
"None of this is good but context can change things. These stickers shouldn’t exist, people shouldn’t put them on their car. I’d be fairly sure the lads won’t be giving this stuff any airtime in the future.
"But if we’re to have a proper conversation about casual sexism and misogyny- then let’s have the conversation. Let it not be about cancelling people. Let’s hear them talk, apologize and then do better. That’s the healthy approach in my humble opinion. Men need to do better. Let’s see if we can."
RTE has not yet confirmed when the duo will be back on the air, and said that the matter is under review.
