Jermaine Jenas sacking is ‘categorical nightmare for BBC’ as top pundit pulled OFF air & sacked
JERMAINE Jenas’ sacking is a “categorical nightmare” for the BBC, a source has said.
The ex-England star, 41, has been pulled from Match of the Day and The One Show.
It comes after the broadcaster launched an immediate internal investigation following concerns being raised over “inappropriate behaviour”.
Jenas had covered this summer’s Euros and commentated on Spain’s semi-final victory over France on July 9.
He last presented The One Show alongside Alex Jones on Wednesday, July 22, and appeared on the Match of The Day panel on May 4.
But he was notably absent from Saturday’s first episode of the new season.
Last night a source said: “This is a categorical nightmare for the BBC.
“Complaints were raised concerning Jermaine’s behaviour.
“After some immediate routine enquiries the decision was taken to take him off air, and terminate his contract.
“The BBC’s new Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski has been heavily involved in this whole process, and is adamant that his new house is firmly in order, and there are no skeletons.
“At present, the feeling is he won’t be back on the BBC.”
The former Tottenham, QPR and Nottingham Forest midfielder is understood to have instructed lawyers as he battles to clear his name.
Sources close to Jermaine also insist he is “not happy” with the BBC’s decision.
The sacking will also come as a hammer blow to BBC execs, who had been lining him up to replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host.
But now a giant mural featuring the 41-year-old alongside BBC Sport colleagues Lineker, Alan Shearer and Alex Scott, has been removed from Manchester’s Media City HQ.
The job, arguably one of the most coveted in TV – and one of the most highly paid – had been approved by both men.
And Jenas had previously spoken of his desire to take over the role.
In an interview with The Sun in October 2021, Jermaine said he’d love to replace the ex-Tottenham striker as host, saying: “Match Of The Day is the biggest job on television, and if I ever got the opportunity of course I’d say yes.
“When Gary decides to call it a day, I’m sure the BBC will have a look around and decide who’s the best fit for the job.”
And the following month, Gary told The Sun: “Jermaine is my natural successor, I think he’s doing well.”
It is not known whether his paymasters at TNT are aware of the current situation with the BBC.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We can confirm Jermaine Jenas is no longer part of the presenting line-up.”