New details have emerged regarding the BBC’s dismissal of Jermaine Jenas, following complaints about his workplace conduct. The 41-year-old former Newcastle United and Tottenham midfielder, who hosted The One Show and appeared on Match of the Day, has been removed from both programs.
The BBC confirmed that Jenas’ contract was terminated due to alleged issues with workplace behavior, particularly concerning “digital communications such as texts,” which were brought to their attention a few weeks ago.
A report from The Sun indicated that Jenas was sacked after complaints of “inappropriate behavior” surfaced. A source noted, “This is a categorical nightmare for the BBC. A complaint was raised regarding Jermaine’s behavior. After some immediate inquiries, the decision was made to take him off air and terminate his contract.”
The new Director of Sport at the BBC, Alex Kay-Jelski, has been heavily involved in the situation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining order within the organization. Current sentiment suggests that Jenas will not return to the BBC.
Jenas is reportedly “battling” to clear his name and is dissatisfied with the BBC’s decision. He emphasized that there are “two sides to every story.”
According to a report from The Mirror, the dismissal stems from claims of “unsolicited inappropriate texts” sent to a female employee of The One Show. The publication added, “The BBC is navigating a sensitive landscape given recent scandals. Any hint of workplace misconduct requires immediate action.”
In a statement to The Sun, Jenas expressed his feelings on the matter, stating, “Right now I can’t talk about it. I can tell you I’m not happy—there are two sides to every story—and I’m going to be speaking with my lawyers.”
Additionally, a mural featuring Jenas alongside BBC Sport colleagues Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Alex Scott has reportedly been removed from Media City HQ in Manchester.
Jenas, who earned around £190,000 at the BBC for his roles in the FA Cup, Match of the Day, and the World Cup, had been considered a potential replacement for Gary Lineker on Match of the Day.
Both Jenas’ representatives and the BBC have been contacted for comments. A BBC spokesperson confirmed, “We can confirm that he is no longer part of our presenting lineup.”
TalkSPORT also issued a statement regarding Jenas, noting that while he was on air for a one-off slot, they decided, along with him, that he would continue to present the show. “Given the serious allegations, it’s for Jermaine as a private individual to address them as he chooses. There are currently no plans for him to present on TalkSPORT in the immediate future.”
Credit: Sport Bible
