Radio host Robin Bailey's replacement was lined up weeks prior to her shock sacking.

Radio fans were left reeling on Monday by the surprise axing of popular Brisbane breakfast host Robin Bailey, in a move the 97.3 announcer herself described as “a complete shock”.

But the Australian Radio Network’s decision not to renew Bailey’s contract was actually far from sudden.

According to industry sources, the company has recently signed 92.5 Drive host Bianca Dye as Bailey’s replacement on the (currently named) Robin, Terry and Bob Show, following talks which began several months ago.

The Gold Coast announcer is due to commence the role in January.

Bianca Dye is the host of Drive Home on GOLD FM.

In a statement issued earlier this week, ARN's National Content Director Duncan Campbell said the decision to let Bailey go followed long negotiations with her management.

“We are very disappointed we weren’t able to agree to terms, but unfortunately, based on the information ARN was consistently given throughout the negotiation process, we were led into a position where we were unable to proceed with contract renewal,” he said.

But Bailey slammed the claim, saying "at no stage" during the negotiation process did the network make her an offer for 2017.

“This was not a joint decision and I certainly saw my future with 97.3, a place that has been my home and my solace for so many years," she told Mamamia.

Bailey says she was "blindsided" by her axing. Image: Mamamia.

Bailey has been a favourite among the station's fans, who rallied around her in 2014 when her husband took his own life after a long battle with depression, leaving her a single mother to their three adolescent boys.

As well as co-hosting a top-rating radio show for the last 10 years, the popular media personality is a regular guest on Weekend Today and the co-host of The Well, a lifestyle programme on the Mamamia Podcast Network.

ARN released a statement this morning which read:

While this announcement has come earlier than we’d have liked, we are happy to announce that Bianca has just been signed to 97.3FM and will be joining Terry and Bob on the Breakfast show next year.

Our preference was to re-sign Robin however based on the information ARN was consistently given throughout the negotiation process, we were led into a position where we were unable to proceed with contract renewal.

Contrary to media speculation that this appointment happened last month, Bianca was only signed very recently, and only once it was made clear that we couldn’t meet contract expectations with Robin’s management. As we’ve said since we made the announcement on Monday that Robin won’t be returning in 2017, we’re all very sad to see her go and wish her all the very best.

Bianca is a fantastic, experienced broadcaster who began her radio career almost 20 years ago in Queensland’s Gold Coast. She’s since worked in Sydney on NOVA and is currently back in her home state where it all began at GOLD FM. She’s a three time winner of Australia's Best Radio Personality and is a warm and cheeky voice. We’re very much  looking forward to Brisbane listeners getting to know her next year alongside Terry and Bob.

Industry sources known to Mamamia however, maintain the decision was made 'some months ago' and ARN signed Robin Bailey's replacement Bianca Dye a few weeks ago.

Mamamia has also been in contact with Bianca Dye for comment.