The new name for Triple M Sydney's breakfast program has been revealed, following the shock axing of former hot Lawrence 'The Moonman' Mooney.
The program, formerly called Moonman In The Morning, will now be named Triple M Breakfast with MG, Jess & Pagey - with 'MG' referring to incoming host Mark 'MG' Geyer.
It was announce last week that retired footy star Geyer would join the Triple M breakfast program in 2022.
New name: Triple M Sydney's breakfast program, formerly called Moonman In The Morning, will now be named Triple M Breakfast with MG, Jess & Pagey - with 'MG' referring to incoming host Mark 'MG' Geyer (pictured)
He will helm the show with its remaining hosts Jess Eva and Chris 'Pagey Page.
It comes after Triple M Sydney announced it had parted ways with Lawrence Mooney on Monday
The comedian, 56, was hired in early 2019 to host the Moonman in the Morning breakfast show alongside Jess Eva and Chris 'Pagey' Page.
Axed: Triple M Sydney announced on Monday that it had parted ways with Lawrence Mooney (pictured). The 56-year-old hosted the Moonman in the Morning breakfast show with Jess Eva and Chris 'Pagey' Page since 2019
His contract, believed to be worth $2million per year, was set to expire in 2022.
A Southern Cross Austereo spokesperson said in a terse statement on Monday: 'SCA thanks Mooney for his contribution to the Triple M Network over the past five years.'
His exit comes two weeks after he vanished from the airwaves without explanation, and amid rumours of a 'major' falling out with co-host Eva.
Parting words: A Southern Cross Austereo spokesperson said in a terse statement on Monday: 'SCA thanks Mooney for his contribution to the Triple M Network over the past five years.' Pictured: Moonman in the Morning co-hosts (L-R) Jess Eva, Lawrence Mooney and Chris Page
When contacted for comment by Daily Mail Australia on Monday afternoon, Mooney said, 'Please don't call again,' then hung up the phone.
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford said an 'internal' issue had led to Mooney's sudden departure.
'My information - which is very well-placed - says to me that it was an internal, off-air workplace issue that has led to this disappearance,' he said on The Morning Show.
Issues: Mooney had apparently caused issues at the station in recent months, after clashing with several staff members including Eva (left). Network executives were also said to be struggling to justify his rumoured $2million paycheck given the program's meagre ratings
It comes a week after sources told Daily Mail Australia that Mooney was set to lose his contract at Triple M 'imminently'.
He had apparently caused issues at the station in recent months, after clashing with several staff members including Eva.
Network executives were also said to be struggling to justify his rumoured $2million paycheck given the program's meagre ratings.
Mooney was hired to host the show in January 2019 on a $750,000 salary, which was boosted to between $1.5million and $2million for 2020 and 2021.
Lacklustre: Since its launch in January 2019, Moonman in the Morning struggled to contend with other FM breakfast shows, earning a 4.6 per cent market share in the latest radio survey. The show is expected to change its name following Mooney's departure
He had previously fronted Triple M Brisbane's breakfast show from 2016 to 2018.
Since its launch, Moonman in the Morning struggled to contend with other FM breakfast shows, earning a 4.6 per cent market share in the latest radio survey.
The show peaked at a 6.9 per cent market share when it debuted in 2019 after taking over The Grill Team, which ended its nine-year run with a 5.4 per cent share at the end of 2018.
Mystery: Listeners had been left puzzled by Mooney's disappearing act for the past two weeks. Triple M hadn't offered any explanation for his absence, with a spokesperson telling Daily Mail Australia last Wednesday: 'Lawrence Mooney is currently off air'
Moonman in the Morning never reached the heights of its predecessor, which routinely pulled in shares over seven per cent in its heyday.
The Grill Team was hosted by former rugby league player Matty Johns, who quit the station in November 2018 to concentrate on his television career.
In contrast, KIIS 106.5's market leader The Kyle and Jackie O Show soared in the latest ratings with a 10.7 per cent share.
Scandals: Mooney's sudden exit is far from the only drama to befall Triple M Sydney's breakfast show. From one presenter's stint in rehab to the star's illegal lockdown breach, a long list of controversies has made Moonman arguably Australia's most toxic radio program
Listeners had been puzzled by Mooney's disappearing act for the past two weeks.
Triple M hadn't offered any explanation for his absence, with a spokesperson telling Daily Mail Australia last Wednesday: 'Lawrence Mooney is currently off air.'
Several meetings were held last week between Southern Cross Austereo and Mooney's management after he vanished off air.
Newcomer: Retired NRL player Mark Geyer will be joining the breakfast team in 2022; however, his hiring was announced weeks ago and is unrelated to Mooney's exit
Retired NRL player Mark Geyer will be joining the breakfast team in 2022; however, his hiring was announced weeks ago and is unrelated to Mooney's exit.
Mooney won an Australian Commercial Radio Award (ACRA) for Best Entertainment Presenter in 2019, but this acclaim didn't translate into winning ratings.
His sudden exit is far from the only drama to befall Triple M Sydney's breakfast show.
From one presenter's stint in rehab to the star's illegal lockdown breach, a long list of controversies has made Moonman in the Morning arguably Australia's most toxic radio program.
Chris Page going to rehab
Moonman in the Morning co-host Chris 'Pagey' Page made headlines in August after revealing on air he'd spent a month in a treatment facility for alcohol addiction.
Page, who had been off the air during his time in the rehab centre, told his fellow presenters Lawrence Mooney and Jess Eva he wanted to fight the stigma surrounding addiction and recovery by speaking publicly about his struggles.
'I didn't want to do what so many people do... because it really bothers me, particularly anyone in the media or anyone in the public eye, you'll often read about someone taking extended leave for "exhaustion". Um, that's crap,' he said.
'There's a real stigma around rehab, and if people can't be open about it, then no one's going to talk about it, and that stigma just grows.'
Rehab: Co-host Chris Page (centre) made headlines in August after revealing on air he'd spent a month in a treatment facility for alcohol addiction Pictured with fellow radio anchors Ben Fordham (left) and Tim Blackwell (right)
The radio anchor said there's 'nothing wrong' with accepting when 'something feels out of control', and that there's always help available for people with addiction.
'It's not junkies and wackos and freaks in rehab; it is normal people, like you and me - all walks of life,' Page added.
'It is completely normal people who have just let something - drugs or alcohol or gambling - they've just let it slide and just over time, it's got out of control and they've said "You know what? I just need to circuit break, I need to get in here and take care of this now".'
Page also sent a message to other celebrities in rehab for drugs or alcohol.
'Stop lying and saying you're exhausted,' he said.
'Stop lying': Page also sent a message to other celebrities who claim they're taking a break from work due to 'exhaustion' when in reality they're in rehab for drugs or alcohol
'Say you're in rehab so we can let people know there's nothing wrong with it. It's no big deal, and it might save your life.'
Page concluded by saying he was in a good place and feeling better than ever since checking out of rehab.
Feuds and controversial comments
Lead anchor Mooney's feuds with other celebrities have led to controversy.
In January, he sparked a war of words with Byron Bay model Ruby Tuesday Matthews after mocking her in a scathing segment about influencers.
Clash: Mooney (left) sparked a feud with Byron Bay model Ruby Tuesday Matthews (right) in January after mocking her in a scathing segment about influencers
Mooney had referred to social media influencers as 'low-hanging fruit' who 'prostitute
