Gerard Joling Quits De Toppers After 21 Years: What's Next

By Sidra Salman · October 21, 2026

Gerard Joling is leaving De Toppers. The 66-year-old Dutch entertainer announced on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, that he is stepping down from the mega-popular concert series Toppers in Concert after more than two decades. In an emotional video message on Instagram, Joling told fans the decision took months to make — and that the 2026 edition was his last.

"Na ruim 21 fantastische jaren heb ik besloten om te stoppen met de Toppers in Concert. Geen makkelijke beslissing, want wat hebben we samen ongelooflijk veel mooie momenten beleefd! Daar kijk ik met ontzettend veel trots en dankbaarheid op terug," the singer said, visibly moved.

It is the end of one of the longest-running partnerships in Dutch show business. And it is only the first of two big farewells Joling has planned — his final solo concerts are coming too.

The announcement: "Geen makkelijke beslissing"

Joling delivered the news himself, directly to fans, in a video posted to his Instagram on Tuesday afternoon. He said the choice was anything but easy.

"Dat is geen makkelijke beslissing geweest, er zijn maanden overheen gegaan," he explained. In the extended version of the video shared on YouTube, he admitted the decision had cost him sleep: "Het heeft voor mij echt wel een paar slapeloze nachten opgeleverd."

He closed the message with a direct address to the men he has shared the stage with for over 21 years — René Froger, Jeroen van der Boom and Jan Smit: "Mannen, zet 'm op, tot de volgende keer en maak er wat moois van. Heel veel succes. Groetjes van Geer." Then a kiss to the camera.

The official organization behind Toppers in Concert called the decision "bijzonder jammer" but said it understands and respects it. According to the organization, Joling took part in no fewer than seventy Toppers concerts over the years — a run that made him, in their words, part of a "bijzonder tijdperk" in Dutch entertainment.

21 years of glitter: Joling's De Toppers timeline

De Toppers started in 2005 as a one-off idea by René Froger, Gerard Joling and Gordon — a group of well-known Dutch singers putting on an extravagant joint concert. Nobody expected what came next. The format became a yearly institution at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, with tens of thousands of visitors, spectacular staging and a rotating cast of guest artists.

Joling was there from the very first edition in 2005, and he stayed for every edition since. The lineup shifted over the years — Gordon eventually left, and the group settled into its current formation with Froger, Joling, Jeroen van der Boom and Jan Smit. Only the coronavirus years 2020 and 2021 broke the streak; the concerts simply could not take place.

That is the scale of what Joling is walking away from: twenty-one years, roughly seventy shows, and a fixed place in the Dutch entertainment calendar. When I look at Dutch music careers of that length — the kind of longevity we explored in our profile of Armin van Buuren — very few performers stay loyal to one project for this long.

A double farewell: TV work, "Only Joling" and the Final Countdown

Joling is not retiring. Far from it. The singer explained that his schedule is full: a busy television agenda, new entertainment projects, and the return of his reality series Only Joling for a third season, which gives viewers another look inside his daily life.

But the biggest item on his calendar is his own goodbye. Joling has announced that his final large solo concerts will take place on February 19 and 20, 2027, under the title Only Joling – The Final Countdown, with a live orchestra and guest artists. After the Toppers departure, these shows will be his last big solo appearances.

It is, in other words, a double farewell within a year: first the group, then the solo stage. That combination is what makes this story bigger than a single lineup change.

What's next for De Toppers?

The show goes on — at least, that is the plan. The next Toppers in Concert series is scheduled for the end of May 2027, and the organization has already promised a reveal "op zeer korte termijn" of a brand-new lineup.

But the transition comes with drama of its own:

• Jeroen van der Boom was blindsided. The fellow Topper said Tuesday evening that he had no idea the news was coming: "Net als voor velen van jullie kwam het nieuws dat Gerard gaat stoppen bij De Toppers voor mij als een enorme verrassing." He only learned about it when journalists called him for a reaction.
• René Froger's health is a question mark. Froger recently revealed that he has been diagnosed with the auto-immune disease myositis and has to step back for treatment. What role he will play in the 2027 concerts is currently unclear.
• An unknown successor. The organization says it is already working behind the scenes on the 2027 lineup — and promises a surprise. No name has been announced.

So De Toppers face a double rebuild: replacing one of their most recognizable faces and navigating the uncertain health of their founder. Few entertainment stories in the Netherlands right now carry that much open-ended tension.

Why this farewell matters

Departures from long-running groups are always news, but three things make this one stand out.

First, the timing is deliberate. Joling did not stumble into this decision. Months of deliberation and sleepless nights suggest a performer who thought carefully about his exit rather than one who was pushed. That kind of controlled goodbye is rare in show business, where most exits are messy.

Second, he is leaving at the top. The 2026 edition went ahead, the organization says he is welcome, and he is choosing to spend his energy on television and his own farewell shows. It is a calculated narrowing of focus, not a retreat.

Third, it reshuffles the Dutch entertainment map. De Toppers are not just a concert series; they are a brand, a May tradition, and a platform that launches summer headlines. With Joling out, Froger's participation uncertain, and a mystery successor coming, the 2027 edition could look completely different. For fans of Dutch celebrity culture, this is the story that will keep developing — and it is exactly the kind of long arc we cover here. We recently looked back at the life and legacy of Maarten Spanjer, another Dutch entertainer whose departure marked the end of an era.

What fans should know

If you follow Gerard Joling or De Toppers, here is the short version:

• De Toppers without Joling: the May 2027 concert series is still scheduled, with a new lineup to be revealed soon. Remaining members: René Froger, Jeroen van der Boom and Jan Smit.
• Joling's final solo shows: February 19 and 20, 2027 — Only Joling – The Final Countdown.
• Television: Only Joling season 3 is on its way, and his TV calendar stays full.
• What is unknown: who replaces Joling, and how big a role Froger will play in 2027.

Like Hardwell, another Dutch music export who has reinvented himself several times over, Joling seems to be betting that a well-timed goodbye is better than a slow fade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Gerard Joling leaving De Toppers?
Joling said he wants to focus on his television work and his final solo concerts. The decision took months, and he described it as "geen makkelijke beslissing." He thanked the organization, his colleagues, guest artists and the audience, and said it simply feels like the right moment.

When did Gerard Joling announce his departure?
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in a video message posted to his Instagram account. Fellow Topper Jeroen van der Boom said he only heard the news that same day, when the media contacted him.

Who will replace Gerard Joling in De Toppers?
That has not been announced. The organization says it is already working on the 2027 concerts and will reveal a brand-new Toppers lineup "op zeer korte termijn." The remaining members are René Froger, Jeroen van der Boom and Jan Smit.

When are Gerard Joling's final solo concerts?
February 19 and 20, 2027, under the title Only Joling – The Final Countdown, with a live orchestra and guest artists. He has described these as his farewell to large solo shows.

About the Author

Sidra Salman is the founder of Dutch Stars Bio, where she writes practical, research-backed guides on Dutch celebrity culture and entertainment. Every guide is tested and written in plain English for a US audience.