Former England Footballer Removed from Presenting Lineup After Workplace Conduct Complaints
Jermaine Jenas, a presenter on The One Show and who appears on Match of the Day, has been sacked by the BBC after complaints about his workplace conduct. The former footballer, 41, said he was seeking legal advice after being taken off the air from both shows. The BBC reported his contract had been terminated after allegations involving text messages and other digital communication. It is understood issues were raised a few weeks ago with the broadcaster, who issued a statement on Thursday to confirm that Jenas was “no longer part” of its presenting lineup. He was last on air earlier in the summer.
The presenter and pundit, long mooted as a potential long-term replacement for Gary Lineker as host of Match of the Day, has also parted ways with his agency M&C Saatchi. News of Jenas’s departure broke as he was presenting a one-off programme for TalkSport. During an interview with TalkSport News on Thursday evening he said “there’s two sides to every story”.
“I’m not happy about this situation. I’m going to be speaking to my lawyers about it, is all I can say right now,” he added. Jenas declined to elaborate about the nature of the complaint about him, whether it concerned more than one colleague, if he was surprised a complaint was made against him, when he was first aware that a complaint had been made and when the BBC told him he was being sacked.
He also declined to answer when asked if legal proceedings were under way, whether he felt he would be able to continue working in sports presenting or the broadcast industry as a whole, or if he felt he should apologise to anyone about his departure from the BBC. A spokesperson for TalkSport said it was “made aware of a breaking news story involving Jermaine Jenas as he went on air for a one-off presenting slot on TalkSport Drive. We made a decision – with Jermaine – that he should continue to present the show.”
The spokesperson added: “Given the array of serious allegations being reported as the story continues to evolve, it’s 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.”
Allegations of Inappropriate Behaviour
According to the Sun, the BBC launched an immediate internal investigation after concerns were raised about the former England, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United midfielder and he was quietly removed from the broadcaster’s official channels. A mural featuring Jenas alongside BBC Sport colleagues Lineker, Alan Shearer and Alex Scott has been removed from Manchester’s MediaCity HQ, the Sun added.
This month the governing board of the BBC confirmed plans for an independent review of its workplace culture, citing concerns about “the potential for inappropriate workplace behaviour, particularly in creative and editorial environments”. The review will “make recommendations on practical steps that could strengthen a workplace culture in line with BBC values”, the broadcaster said in a statement.
Jenas's Career and Impact on the BBC
Jenas, a married father of four, covered this summer’s European Championship and commentated on Spain’s semi-final victory over France on 9 July. He last presented The One Show alongside Alex Jones on Wednesday 22 July and appeared on the Match of the Day panel on 4 May. He was absent from Saturday’s first episode of the new season. According to official figures published last year, Jenas – who is also employed by TNT Sports – was paid between £190,000 and £194,999 by the BBC.
After a footballing career spent plying his trade with Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Spurs, Jenas retired in 2016 at the age of 32 having made more than 400 club appearances and 21 appearances for England. Jenas’s departure comes at a sensitive time for the BBC, which has been subject to intense scrutiny over its handling of allegations of misconduct against its presenters. In April, veteran newsreader Huw Edwards was arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children and later resigned from the BBC. Edwards subsequently pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and is due to be sentenced next month. The BBC has faced criticism for its handling of the Edwards case, with some questioning why it continued to pay him his salary while he was under investigation.
The Future for Jermaine Jenas
Jenas’s departure from the BBC is a significant blow to the corporation, which has been trying to attract a younger audience. Jenas was a popular figure on both The One Show and Match of the Day, and his departure is likely to leave a void in the BBC’s presenting lineup. It remains to be seen whether Jenas will be able to continue his career in broadcasting, but his departure from the BBC is a reminder of the importance of workplace culture and the need for accountability. It is also a stark reminder of the challenges facing the BBC, which is facing pressure to modernise its image and attract a new generation of viewers.
A Look Back and a Look Ahead
Jenas’s departure is a story that has captivated the media and the public alike. It is a story of ambition, talent, and the perils of fame. It is a story of how a man who was once a beloved figure in the sporting world, has found himself at the center of a media storm. While the full details of the allegations against Jenas remain unclear, his departure from the BBC serves as a reminder that the world of broadcasting is a complex one, and that even the most successful figures are not immune to scandal. The future for Jenas is uncertain, but one thing is clear: his reputation has been tarnished, and it will take time to rebuild it.
