Triple M host Mark Geyer says he was ‘shocked’ by Lawrence Mooney’s abrupt exit

An NRL star who was set to co-host with Lawrence Mooney next year has opened up on the comedian’s abrupt and mysterious departure from Triple M.

As speculation surrounding Lawrence Mooney’s unceremonious exit from Triple M continues to mount, one of the comedian’s colleagues has weighed in.

Former NRL player Mark Geyer, who was set to join Mooney’s breakfast team next year, said he was “shocked” by the terse announcement, adding that he was “looking forward” to working with the radio star.

Mooney, 56, suddenly departed his breakfast show on Monday more than a week after vanishing from the airwaves with no explanation offered by co-hosts Jess Eva and Chris Page. Geyer has now quietly joined the team for the rest of the year through to 2022.

It came after reports from Mediaweek earlier this month that Mooney was “unhappy” with Geyer, 53, signing on to the show for 2022.

Lawrence Mooney's would-be co-host to be says he was 'shocked' to learn of the comedian's sudden exit.

Mark Geye’s addition to the team was confirmed earlier this month.

Geyer speaks out amid reports of tension

Speaking to Yahoo! Sport for the first time since the news broke, Geyer said he was looking forward to working with Mooney and was surprised to read the feeling may not have been mutual.

“It was a shock to me. I was looking forward to working with Loz and that was the idea originally pitched to me,” Geyer said.

“We could have worked together for sure. There’s no doubt about it. I was excited about it.

“I honestly don’t know what’s happened apart from the fact lawyers are now involved. I’m the deer in the spotlight,” he added.

Earlier this month, Triple M Sydney content director Rex Morris told Daily Mail Geyer would be joining the breakfast team.

“We’re expecting MG’s involvement on Moonman in the Morning to be an extension of what he already brings to the show on a weekly basis. He’s famously connected to sport, and the ripping yarns around it.”

MG was brought on to the team to bring more sport banter. Picture: Supplied.

Sudden exit confirmed in statement

Without any mention on air, the network released a statement which read: “Mooney was a regular on Triple M breakfast in Sydney and Melbourne, before officially joining Triple M Brisbane’s breakfast show in 2016.

“He moved to Sydney breakfast in 2019, joining Jess Eva and Chris Page. SCA thanks Mooney for his contribution to the Triple M Network over the past five years.”

The statement confirming Mooney’s departure was scant of detail. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

It’s been reported that Mooney had fallen out with Eva and several other staff members as the show suffered dwindling ratings.

In the latest radio survey, Moonman in the Morning attracted a 4.6 per cent share in the ratings, compared with FM leader The Kyle and Jackie O Show, who collected 10.7 per cent.

The show hit a ratings high of 6.9 per cent shortly after it took over the slot from The Grill Team, who had hung up their mics after nine years at the end of 2018.

Mooney lawyers up

A statement released by media and employment lawyer John Laxon of Laxon Lex Lawyers on Tuesday confirmed that Mooney had enlisted his services against Southern Cross Austereo.

“My client has a contract which runs through to the end of next year, which SCA has brought to an end,” Mr Laxon said. “The terms of that contract were drafted by SCA and were bargained for and agreed to by my client. He will hold SCA to those terms. All my client asks is that SCA honour the contract and observe the contractual arrangements which they put in place. No further comment will be made.”

According to the Daily Mail, Mooney’s contract was worth between $1.5 million and $2 million for 2020 and 2021.

The Sydneysider is fighting for his million-dollar contract. Picture: Supplied.

Mystery surrounds comedian’s exit

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 told Seven’s The Morning Show.

“What will happen in terms of money will be interesting, because he has another year to run on his contract and I don’t imagine [SCA] will just pay it out as simply as that.”

The usually outspoken comedian, who’s been no stranger to controversy in recent years, is yet to publicly comment on his departure from Triple M.

Moonman in the Morning has now been renamed Triple M Breakfast with MG, Jess & Pagey

Plan for Triple M breakfast next year

Rugby league will be a big part of the planned revival of the Triple M breakfast show in 2022, with new team member MG — who has been with the network 14 years — promising there’ll be “no shortage” of sports chat.

“They wanted someone to bring a bit of sport content and news and views from western Sydney and the NRL and I fit that bill,” he told Yahoo Sport.

He added of his selection for the role: “I think it’s just about being a normal bloke with a family. I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not.

“I muck up words and get them wrong. I’m always told I’m ‘close and a half’ so that’s good enough.

“I think the audience appreciates I’m being myself.”