Jermaine Jenas shared gushing tribute to wife Ellie just weeks before being sacked for sending inappropriate texts
JERMAINE Jenas shared a gushing tribute to his wife Ellie just weeks before being sacked for sending inappropriate texts.
The Sun exclusively told yesterday how Match of The Day and One Show star Jenas, 41, had been booted from the BBC after women complained about his workplace conduct.
But, only back in May, the presenter was fawning over brunette beauty Ellie Penfold, who he tied the knot with in 2011.
Sharing a photo dump of holiday snaps with their children, he wrote on Instagram: “Happy birthday Mrs j I love you… we love you more than you could ever imagine.. you deserve the world x.”
In the snaps, Ellie was seen in various bikinis on luxury boats and restaurant during a trip abroad.
The couple share three children together, two daughters Geneva and Olivia and a son called Jacob, while Jenas has an older daughter, Sancha, from a previous relationship who lives in the United States with her mother.
We revealed on Thursday how a female One Show colleague raised concerns after Jenas allegedly sent her unsolicited flirty texts.
Other women have come forward amid a probe into DMs said to have been sent by the married ex-footballer.
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.
A giant poster featuring him alongside BBC Sport colleagues Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer was removed from Manchester’s Media City HQ.
And Jenas was no longer listed for Match Of The Day on TV industry database IMDb.
A source said last night: “Presenters, cast and crew have all been asked not to contact him whilst legal matters are ongoing.”
They added: “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.”
The source said: “It was shrouded in secrecy. It has shocked, and rocked, everyone.”
Jenas’s sacking was spearheaded by new BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski.
It 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.
The source said: “This latest incident of alleged misconduct in the workplace is the last thing the BBC needed.
“The first complaint was raised after Jermaine flirtily messaged a female member of staff on The One Show.
“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 this case, Jermaine was the fall guy and was fired.
“Although there is no suggestion of illegality whatsoever, the BBC cannot be seen to be slow to take action.
“He has yet to say his side of the story but he has made it known privately to friends he is unhappy.”
The Sun broke the story on our website yesterday afternoon — moments before Jenas began his talkSPORT Drive show.
Within four minutes of the news breaking, Mr Kay-Jelski emailed BBC staff.
He wrote: “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”.
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 and 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 after presenting the climax of the Formula E season alongside Nicki Shields.
Jermaine Jenas' full statement on BBC sacking
Jermaine Jenas released a statement to The Sun via a spokesperson saying: “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.”
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 BBC said last night: “We can confirm Jermaine Jenas is no longer part of the presenting line-up.”
Jenas 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.
“An array of serious allegations are 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.”