Jase and PJ in hot water over controversial start to Melbourne radio show

The Instagram post purportedly showed PJ in a compromising position.

Controversy has marred Jase and PJ's radio debut in Australia after an Instagram post was slammed by Aussie media.

The Kiwi pair launched their new radio show in Melbourne today, after finding success on ZM in New Zealand.

But things got off to a shaky start at KIIS 101.1 when host Jase Hawkins posted a confronting image apparently showing Polly 'PJ' Harding in her underwear and hunched over a toilet.

Jase captioned the photo, which was shared with his 16,000-plus followers, "Don't be nervous Peej. Show starts Monday, @kiis1011."

He then added a crying with laughter emoji.

According to the Herald Sun, the picture was 'liked' by the show's official Instagram account and was posted before station management became aware of it.

The post was swiftly deleted.

Herald Sun's Fiona Byrne in her Gossip Queen column asked readers: "Is posting a photo of your female co-host in her underwear, on her knees and apparently throwing up in a toilet really how KIIS FM Melbourne breakfast hosts Jase Hawkins and PJ Harding want to promote the launch of their new radio show?"

She went on the say: "Their show's tagline is 'always awkward'.

"If Friday's photo offering is any guide perhaps it should be changed to 'not funny'."

Sources told the News Corp publication the photo was indeed of PJ and that she was with Jase when he posted it online.

PJ also reportedly shared a unflattering image of her male co-host, but swiftly deleted it.

The radio stars had a history of posting embarrassing snaps of each other every Friday as part of their radio show in New Zealand.

Jase recently took to Instagram to reflect on his time in New Zealand before his show moves to Australian airwaves.

"Thanks NZ for the most incredible three years, I've loved every second of it. Time for the next adventure," he wrote.

PJ also wrote on Instagram: "Lots of laughs in 2017, here's to a s*** tonne more! Next stop: MELBOURNE (for good this time)."

View this post on Instagram

Can’t wait!

A post shared by Jase Hawkins (@jase_hawkins) on Nov 24, 2017 at 9:20pm PST

View this post on Instagram

$20 says one of us sleeps in.

A post shared by Jase Hawkins (@jase_hawkins) on Jan 6, 2018 at 3:52pm PST

- additional reporting Daily Mail Australia