Mark Cagney only signed a 12 month contract with Ireland AM last year meaning that plans to leave the show were well underway before he announced he was leaving breakfast television earlier this month.
Industry sources say that a one year contract is very small for national television, meaning that his exit has been in the pipeline for some time, RSVP Live reports.
Rumours were rife that the Virgin Media Television presenter was leaving the hit morning show last year, but he denied the news at time.
Mark previously said: "I have just signed a new contract for another year."
He also explained that nobody leaves TV work if you are freelance, and if a presenter is gone from a show it is because they are dropped by station bosses.
"Nobody leaves a show in this business, you get fired or you get retired," Mark explained.
An expert in broadcasting told us: "Most big names sign bigger contracts to have more job security.
"A one year contract is quite small for such a big show. It sounds like he knew that he was leaving all along."
Mark will officially say goodbye to Ireland AM after 20 years as show anchor on July, 31.
It has yet to be confirmed who will take over from him and who will present the show going forward.
Asked about who will replace him, Glenda Gilson ruled herself out: "Ah here, I don’t know. They will be looking for a man, there are a lot of women there [on Ireland AM ]."
She said: "I love Mark and he is a great fella.
"He is always the one who would you give great advice and advice that was key.
"Everyone will miss Mark, he was so professional. I just can’t believe that he did it for so long".
