Radio's nastiest feud exposed: Lawrence Mooney is 'ordered by HR to apologise to Dave Hughes for sending him an offensive text message'

A feud has reportedly erupted behind the scenes at Southern Cross Austereo, after an incident involving network stars Lawrence Mooney and Dave 'Hughesy' Hughes.

Senior managers were forced to intervene after Mooney, 56, who hosts Triple M Sydney's Moonman in the Morning breakfast show, sent his stablemate Hughesy, 50, an 'offensive text message', multiple sources tell Daily Mail Australia.

Their feud apparently began when Hughesy, who co-hosts 2Day FM's Morning Crew, invited Mooney's co-anchor Jess Eva onto his own show but failed to promote Moonman in the Morning - despite both programs being part of the same network.

Rivals: A feud has reportedly erupted behind the scenes at Southern Cross Austereo, after an incident involving network stars Lawrence Mooney and Dave 'Hughesy' Hughes

Mooney was reportedly furious over the 'snub' and fired off a text message to Hughesy that contained offensive language. 

Hughesy allegedly then went straight to Southern Cross Austereo's head of HR to complain, and Mooney was ordered to apologise.  

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Southern Cross Austereo for comment but is yet to receive a response.   

Guest appearance: Their feud apparently began when Hughesy, who co-hosts 2Day FM's Morning Crew, invited Mooney's co-anchor Jess Eva onto his own show but failed to promote Moonman in the Morning - despite both programs being part of the same network

Choice words: Mooney (right, with co-hosts Jess Eva and Chris Page) was reportedly furious over the 'snub' and fired off a text message to Hughesy that contained offensive language

The rumours come after Mooney was forced to apologise for flouting Sydney's lockdown rules by taking a holiday in Byron Bay on June 2.

Discussing his actions on air last Monday, he said he was taking 'full responsibility' for his actions, before criticising himself for acting like 'the rules didn't apply to him'. 

'I'd like to apologise to the Triple M family for acting like king c'**k of c**k Island,' he told his co-hosts Jess Eva and Chris Page.

Apology: Hughesy allegedly then went straight to Southern Cross Austereo's head of HR to complain, and Mooney was ordered to apologise

Mooney, who copped a $1,000 fine for his breach, also apologised to NSW Police for 'wasting resources having them rock around to my joint to hear my story and then issue a notice'.  

'Today I front the Court of Can'ts in the full knowledge that I have done the wrong thing, copped my fair whack from the constabulary, to wit a $1,000 fine, and take full responsibility for my actions,' he continued.

'Moonman, you can't act like the rules don't apply to you.' 

Saying sorry: The rumours come after Mooney was forced to apologise for flouting Sydney's lockdown rules by taking a holiday in Byron Bay on June 2

Mooney lives in the Southern Highlands and works in the Sydney CBD, so under the city's lockdown rules should have stayed home instead of travelling to Byron. 

'I worked in a red zone in the Tower of Sound in World Square – that being Greater Sydney – lived in a Green Zone, the Southern Highlands, didn't self-isolate for the required 14 days before holidaying in another Green Zone, Byron Bay,' he said.

'I transgressed a public health order. Moonman, you cannot sit in judgement of others and then flagrantly flout the rules. Moonman, you can't.' 

Busted: Mooney's Byron Bay activities included a spot of horse riding, as well as a catch-up with fellow comedian Jimeoin at the Hotel Brunswick

He went on to say that he understood the severity of the situation, before pleading with others to not follow his example.

'In all seriousness, Sydney, and inevitably New South Wales, is entering a dire period of the contagion,' he said.  

'My actions, were they to be repeated, could end up in extended lockdowns, illness and death. That's the height of the stakes we're talking about, and I don't shirk from the seriousness or my part as an example to others'I should have stayed put, but instead headed to Byron Bay to holiday when I should have stayed home.' 

Explanation: Before taking responsibility for his actions on air, Lawrence had initially apologised and told The Daily Telegraph he didn't realise the Covid restrictions applied to him