Last week Lauren Phillips and Jase Hawkins dramatically announced they were launching a new breakfast show on Nova's 100 FM.
The star-studded team will replace the morning show hosted by Ben Harvey, Liam Stapleton and Belle Jackson.
And now Media Week has revealed that the popular trio only found out about their job loss “shortly before” Lauren and Jase posed for a “secret” photoshoot at the Nova studio.
The industry blog reports that in an unusual move, Ben, Liam and Belle will continue to host the breakfast slot until Jase and Lauren have a start date.
Once the duo take over breakfast, Ben, Liam and Belle will move on to a new national show, Late Drive, which airs weekdays from 6pm to 8pm.
Last week Lauren Phillips and Jase Hawkins (pictured) made the dramatic announcement that they would be launching a new breakfast show on Nova's 100 FM. The star-studded team will replace the morning show hosted by Ben Harvey, Liam Stapleton and Belle Jackson
Jase and Lauren have been replaced by KIIS FM stars Kyle Sandilands and Jackie “O” Henderson as part of their historic $200 million, 10-year radio expansion in Melbourne.
Their move to Nova now means they will be competing in a ratings clash with their former KISS FM colleagues.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Nova family,” Lauren, 41, said in a statement.
“I have been a long-time fan of the station and joining Nova 100 is truly a dream come true.”
And now Media Week has revealed that the popular trio only found out they would be losing their jobs when Lauren and Jase posed for a “secret” photo in the Nova studio. Pictured: Jase and Lauren with Ben (l), Liam (second from right) and Belle
She added: “I've made the most of a few months break but my plans to become a professional dog handler are now on hold and I'm so ready to get back to work with Jase here in Melbourne.”
Meanwhile, 42-year-old Jase said: “I'm ready to have a job again. “I'm even more overjoyed that we get to join Nova.”
“Throughout my career I have always wanted to be part of this network, it is a perfect fit for Loz and me. So I'm sorry Nova, we're never leaving,” he added.
The industry blog reports that in an unusual move, Ben, Liam and Belle will continue to host breakfast until Jase and Lauren have a start date. Pictured: Jase and Lauren's “secret” Nova shoot
“Melbourne, we are back! So join us and come to Nova.'
In November, Sydney-based radio duo Kyle and Jackie “O” signed a record-breaking $200 million, 10-year deal that will keep them on the air until 2034.
An ARN spokesperson confirmed to Chron Australia that the deal for the Sydney duo meant their work friends Jase Hawkins and Lauren Phillips were out of work and their Melbourne breakfast show ended in December.
Lauren broke down in tears as she announced the news to her listeners, sobbing that she didn't want to “say goodbye to Melbourne”.
In November, Sydney-based radio duo Kyle and Jackie “O” signed a record-breaking $200 million, 10-year deal that will keep them on the air until 2034 (pictured).
Jase and Lauren's show was successful for KIIS FM, bringing new listeners to the station and placing third in the Melbourne market behind Fox FM's Fifi Fev & Nick and GOLD104.3's Christian O'Connell.
In a statement celebrating the historic contract extension, Sandilands said: “Fans of the show will be thrilled to hear that this 10-year deal is the longest radio contract in Australian history.”
“Love us or loathe us, Jackie and I will continue our politically incorrect nonsense for a long, long time.”