BBC probe into Jermaine Jenas’ ‘flirty texts’ prompted other women to come forward with complaints
MATCH of The Day and One Show star Jermaine Jenas has been booted off the BBC after women complained about his workplace conduct.
A female One Show colleague raised concerns over alleged flirty texts and others came forward amid a probe into digital communications said to have been sent by the married ex-footballer, 41.
His axing comes as the BBC reels from scandals involving Strictly and newsreader Huw Edwards.
The decision to take him off air comes after digital communications — likely WhatsApps and/or Instagram DMs — were allegedly uncovered during the probe.
It was spearheaded by new BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski.
Jenas’s sacking comes weeks after he was named Ally of the Year at the Women’s Football Awards.
He is understood to have told his wife of 13 years, Ellie, about the claims, which he is said to be “deeply unhappy” about.
She is understood to be standing by him.
These claims are the last thing the BBC needs.. it’s shocked and rocked everyone
A TV source
A source said last night: “This latest incident of alleged misconduct in the workplace is the last thing the BBC needed. It has shocked, and rocked, everyone.
“The first complaint was raised after Jermaine flirtily messaged a female member of staff on The One Show, and she raised her misgivings in a formal capacity.
“The BBC knows it cannot now ignore concerns or complaints so after immediate routine enquiries the decision was taken to take him off air, and terminate his contract.
“They acted swiftly and decisively.
“In the wake of the Huw Edwards and Strictly Come Dancing scandals — although, to be clear, Jermaine’s conduct is absolutely nothing like Huw’s and there is no suggestion of illegality whatsoever — the BBC cannot be seen to be slow to take action.
“In this case, Jermaine was the fall guy and was fired.
“He has yet to say his side of the story but he has made it known privately to friends he is unhappy.
‘Shrouded in secrecy’
“Presenters, cast and crew have all been asked not to contact him whilst legal matters are ongoing — as a result a lot of Chinese whispers have been circulating.
“Not even top talent like Alex Jones, Alan Shearer or Gary Lineker knew about this. It was shrouded in secrecy.”
The Sun broke the story on our website yesterday afternoon — moments before Jenas began his talkSPORT Drive show alongside ex-player Jermaine Pennant.
Within four minutes of the news breaking, Mr Kay-Jelski emailed BBC staff: “Hi all, I wanted to let you know that Jermaine Jenas is no longer working for the BBC.”
Last night talkSPORT said it had no plans for the star to broadcast “in the immediate future”.
It is understood Jenas has instructed lawyers and is devastated by the turn of events — not least the loss of his £190,000- £194,999 annual salary for his work on the FA Cup, Match Of The Day and the World Cup.
His work on The One Show is for BBC Studios, so that salary is not in the public domain.
The BBC was removing all traces of Jenas from its websites.
A giant poster featuring him alongside BBC Sport colleagues Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Alex Scott, was removed from Manchester’s Media City HQ.
And Jenas was no longer listed for Match Of The Day on TV industry database IMDb.
The alleged complaints came to light following the Euros where he was a pundit and commentator.
He was last on air covering Spain’s semi-final victory over France on July 9.
Earlier this month he, Ellie and some of his four children holidayed in Marbella.
Jenas last presented The One Show alongside Alex Jones on July 22.
He last appeared on the Match Of The Day panel on May 4.
He was widely regarded as a natural successor to replace Lineker as host of MOTD but was absent from Saturday’s new season opener.
But he was on air on Saturday — commentating for TNT Sports on Liverpool’s 2-0 victory at Ipswich.
And on August 2 he took to Instagram following the climax of the Formula E season for which he was a lead presenter alongside Nicki Shields.
Jenas has only posted three Instagram pictures since May, in contrast to 73 last year.
He has also parted ways with his long-term agents, MC Saatchi. He is no longer featured on their website.
In an interview with The Sun in October 2021, Jenas said he would love to replace Lineker as Match Of The Day host.
He said: “It is the biggest job on television, and if I ever got the opportunity of course I’d say yes.”
The following month, Lineker told The Sun: “Jermaine is my natural successor — I think he’s doing well.”
The crisis is the latest to hit the BBC amid a probe into the behaviour of stars on Strictly Come Dancing. Those findings are reportedly two weeks overdue.
It also follows the Huw Edwards scandal which saw the disgraced newsreader suspended by the BBC before later resigning.
I can tell you that I am not happy.. there are two sides to every story
Jermaine Jenas
In February, the BBC apologised for its handling of that situation, admitting the original complaint was not “escalated quickly enough”.
As a result of the fallout, the corporation confirmed it had improved its non-editorial complaints processes, and would make better use of technology to ensure a “complete picture in all cases”.
This month the BBC governing board announced an independent review into its workplace culture.
The BBC said last night: “We can confirm Jermaine Jenas is no longer part of the presenting line-up.”
Jenas left his talkSPORT show at 7pm.
He said via a spokesperson: “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 on the issue.”
talkSPORT said: “We were made aware of a breaking story involving Jermaine as he went on air.
“We made a decision — with Jermaine — that he should continue to present the show.
“Given the array of serious allegations being reported as the story continues to evolve, it is for Jermaine as a private individual to address them in the way he chooses.
“There are no plans for Jermaine to broadcast as a presenter on talkSPORT in the immediate future.”
Face of football
JERMAINE Jenas made his debut for Nottingham Forest in 2001, at just 17.
The midfielder went on to turn out for Newcastle United, Tottenham, Aston Villa, and QPR, scoring a career total of 39 goals from 341 league appearances.
He won the League Cup with Spurs in 2008.
Jenas also appeared 21 times for the senior England team, scoring once.
He was 19 when he got his first cap in February 2003 and was named PFA Young Player of the Year that season.
Injuries slowed his progress, and he formally announced his retirement in 2016 on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
He became a pundit, first for ITV Sport before joining BT Sport and Match Of The Day.
In 2020 Jenas began co-presenting The One Show and a year later became one of its permanent hosts.