The former England international has been taken off air.

Jermaine Jenas has been sacked by the BBC following complaints of ‘inappropriate behaviour’, according to a new report.

The 41-year-old, who played for Newcastle United, Spurs and QPR during a 13-year playing career, is said to have been taken off air from both Match of the Day and The One Show.

That’s according to The Sun, who suggest the BBC launched an ‘immediate internal investigation’ after concerns were raised about Jenas.

Jenas presented The One Show on July 22 and appeared on the Match of The Day panel on May 4 but was absent from Saturday’s first episode of the new campaign.

A source said via The Sun: “This is a categorical nightmare for the BBC. A complaint was 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 publication also suggests that Jenas has parted ways with agents, MC Saatchi.

Another source told the Daily Mail: “It all came as a massive shock but his colleagues have now been told the news and he won’t be back.

“His colleagues are stunned, they didn’t see it coming at all. They were kept in the dark to start with. They couldn’t believe it when they found out.”

A mural featuring Jenas alongside BBC Sport colleagues Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Alex Scott is said to have been removed from Media City HQ in Manchester.

 

Image credit: Getty

Jenas, meanwhile, is ‘battling’ to clear his name. Sources close to the former England international say he is unhappy with the BBC’s decision.

The former midfielder, who earned around £190,000 at the BBC for his work on the FA Cup, Match of the Day and the World Cup, has long been tipped as the top contender to replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day.

In fact, Jenas spoke openly about being “up for” hosting the popular show.

Speaking to the Daily Mail in April, he said: “I would obviously be up for it… it’s Match of the Day and it would be a great opportunity.

“I haven’t thought that far ahead but I hosted Match of the Day 2 on Sunday night, which was the first one I’ve ever done. I loved it, it felt comfortable to me, it felt normal, and I love doing The One Show as well.

“I feel quite blessed that I’m even in people’s minds that it’s something I could take on given how big the show actually is.

“Gary has got plenty of legs in him and I don’t see him going anywhere soon but when that day comes which it will do, I would like to think that I am at least thought about to fill the position. If that is the case then I would obviously jump at it.”

 

Image credit: Getty

SPORTbible has contacted Jenas’ representatives for comment, as well as the BBC, who have released a statement.

A BBC spokesperson said: “We can confirm that he is no longer part of our presenting line up.”