Jermaine Jenas sacked by BBC after 'behaviour complaint' against MOTD host (original) (raw)

Jermaine Jenas had been seen as a potential successor to Gary Lineker as host of Match of the Day, but has now been sacked by the BBC after they received allegations of inappropriate behaviour

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Jermaine Jenas leaves talkSPORT studios following BBC sacking

Jermaine Jenas has been sacked by the BBC after they received allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Jenas had been working for the corporation as a pundit and presenter for Match of the Day, as well as a host for The One Show. Previously, he fronted the MOTDx show, a spin-off programme aimed at younger audiences which was scrapped last season. Before moving into punditry, Jenas enjoyed a successful playing career for Tottenham, QPR and Newcastle, as well as earning 21 caps for the England senior team.

In a statement to Mirror Football, a BBC spokesperson said: “We can confirm that he is no longer part of our presenting line up.” The BBC have subsequently confirmed that Jenas has been dismissed due to his "workplace conduct".

Jenas last presented The One Show alongside Alex Jones on July 22, and appeared on the Match of The Day panel on May 4. He did work for the BBC on Euro 2024, acting as co-commentator for Spain's semi-final victory over France. Strangely, as the news of Jenas’ departure from the BBC was filtering out, he was already working in a new role, presenting on talkSPORT.

Jenas, who has often appeared on the station as a guest but never the main presenter, and another former Premier League footballer, Jermaine Pennant , were in the hot seats for the sport radio station’s drive time show.

The former Three Lions midfielder was last seen on air on Saturday commentating for TNT Sports on Liverpool's 2-0 win over Ipswich.

According to BBC News, his departure is due to 'workplace conduct', while the BBC also reported that digital communications, including texts, were raised with the corporation. It is claimed that a complaint was made several weeks ago, which has now led to Jenas being removed from his presenting roles.

The BBC launched an immediate internal investigation after concerns were raised about Jenas' behaviour "a few weeks ago" and he was quietly removed from the broadcaster's official channels. After routine enquiries, Jenas' contract was terminated.

The BBC's new Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski is understood to have been heavily involved in this whole process. There is a belief that Jenas will not be seen back on the BBC in the future.

Jenas had been paid between £190,000 and £194,999 for his roles on the BBC according to official figures published last year.

Jenas has also left his role on The One Show (

Image:

BBC)

Jermaine Jenas on TalkSport on Thursday afternoon after the news broke about him being sacked by the BBC

Jenas has also parted ways with his long-term agents, MC Saatchi - who represent big-name celebrities including Harry Redknapp, Jodie Kidd and Laura Whitmore - as a result of the crisis. He has already been removed from their website.

Jenas quickly moved into punditry following his retirement aged 31. He had made 436 professional appearances for clubs during a 14-year senior career, as well as his 21 England caps. He scored one goal for his country, against Switzerland, at Wembley, in 2008, but a knee injury ultimately meant he had to retire early.

The now-41 year-old joined The One Show in In 2020, where he began co-presenting with Alex Jones, becoming a permanent host a year later.

As well as his work for TNT on their football coverage, he also works as the main presenter for Formula E, a role he began last year. It is unknown if his departure from the BBC will affect that role. Formula E have been contacted for comment.

Last December, Jenas, who set up the Aquinas Foundation in 2012 to help raise the aspirations of young people in schools across Nottingham - was handed a Doctor of Sport honorary degree by Nottingham Trent University.

Jermaine Jenas and his honorary doctorate from Nottingham Trent University (

Image:

Instagram/elliejenas)

Jermaine Jenas with his wife, Ellie (

Image:

Instagram/elliejenas)

Jenas, a father of four, tied the knot wife wife Ellie back in 2011. They have two daughters and a baby son. Jenas also has an older daughter from a previous relationship, who lives in the United States with her mother.

His BBC exit comes after the governing board of the company announced an independent review into the broadcaster's workplace culture. It stated: "We remain concerned about the potential for inappropriate workplace behaviour, particularly in creative and editorial environments.

"Whilst challenges related to power imbalances in the workplace are a challenge for multiple employers, the BBC must hold itself to the highest standards. The BBC has clearly articulated Values and a strong Code of Conduct and there has been much progress in recent years.

"That said, the Board will commission an independent review that will make recommendations on practical steps that could strengthen a workplace culture in line with BBC Values."

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It's believed that Jenas had been being groomed to be the long-term successor to Gary Lineker on the company's flagship football show.

Jenas, speaking in 2021, said: "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."

However, his dream of replacing Lineker in the hotseat now appears to lie in tatters.

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