One Show and Match of the Day presenter Jermaine Jenas sacked by BBC

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 conduct in the workplace.

The former footballer, 41, has been taken off the air from both primetime shows.

The BBC reported his contract had been terminated after allegations involving text messages and other digital communication. It is understood issues were raised with the broadcaster a few weeks ago.

The presenter and pundit had long been seen as a potential long-term replacement for Gary Lineker as full-time Match of the Day host. He was last on air earlier in the summer.

A BBC spokesperson said: “We can confirm Jermaine Jenas is no longer part of our presenting lineup.” His agency MC Saatchi also no longer represents him.

Jenas also works for TalkSport, where he was presenting a programme live when the news broke. He is employed by TNT Sports as well.

Jenas told TalkSport News on in an interview on Thursday evening that “there’s two sides to every story”. He added: “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 declined to elaborate about what the complaint about him related to, 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.

Jenas 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 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.”

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, according to the Sun.

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.

A source told the Sun: “This is a categorical nightmare for the BBC. Complaints were raised concerning Jermaine’s behaviour.

“After some immediate routine inquiries 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.”

A mural featuring Jenas alongside his BBC Sport colleagues Lineker, Alan Shearer and Alex Scott had been removed from Manchester’s MediaCity HQ, the Sun added.

According to official figures published last year, Jenas was paid between £190,000 and £194,999 by the corporation.

In an interview with the Sun in October 2021, Jenas said he would love to replace Lineker as host, saying: “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.”

The following month, Lineker told the Sun: “Jermaine is my natural successor. I think he’s doing well.”

Jenas made his footballing debut at the age of 17, for his boyhood club, Nottingham Forest, then Newcastle and Spurs. He made more than 400 club appearances and received 21 caps for England.

He announced his retirement in 2016 aged 32, although he had not played since 2014.

He began appearing as a pundit while recovering from a knee injury and became a regular on Match of the Day, as well as on BT Sport. He had been presenting The One Show since 2020.

This month, the governing board of the BBC released a statement announcing 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.”