Jermaine Jenas releases statement after being sacked by the BBC following complaints

 

He has been sacked by the corporation following complaints about workplace conduct.

Jermaine Jenas has released a statement after he was sacked by the corporation following complaints about workplace conduct.

The 41-year-old, who presented The One Show and appeared on Match of the Day, has been taken off air from both primetime shows.

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.

As a result of alleged issues relating to workplace behaviour, which The Sun described as ‘inappropriate behaviour’, the former midfielder’s contract was terminated earlier this week.

Allegations involving digital communications such as texts, which were raised with the corporation a few weeks ago, have been mentioned by the BBC.

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

This evening (22 August) a spokesperson on behalf of Jenas told The Sun: “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.”

A source, meanwhile, 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.”

Jenas is said to be ‘battling’ to clear his name and sources close to the former England international say he is unhappy with the BBC’s decision.

 

Image credit: Getty
Image credit: Getty

Jenas, who earned around £190,000 at the BBC for his work on the FA Cup, Match of the Day and the World Cup, was seen a leading candidate to succeed Gary Lineker as lead presenter on Match of the Day.

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.”