BBC Sacks Jermaine Jenas Amidst "Inappropriate Behaviour" Allegations
Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas has been sacked by the BBC after allegations of "inappropriate behaviour" emerged, leading to his removal from both Match of the Day and The One Show. The news comes as a shock, particularly given Jenas's previous position as a frontrunner to replace Gary Lineker as the main presenter of the popular football highlights show.
According to reports in the Daily Mail, the BBC initiated an internal investigation after concerns regarding Jenas's conduct were raised. Following this investigation, the broadcaster took the decision to terminate his contract and remove him from all BBC programming.
Jenas's departure from the BBC has been swift, with his presence quickly removed from the broadcaster's official platforms. The giant mural at Manchester's Media City HQ, featuring Jenas alongside Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Alex Scott, has also been taken down.
The former Tottenham and Newcastle star last appeared on The One Show on July 22, and his final Match of the Day panel appearance was on May 4. His most recent on-air work for the BBC involved covering the European Championships this summer, including commentary on Spain's victory over France on July 9.
A source close to the situation told 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 reportedly been heavily involved in the investigation and has insisted that "his new house is firmly in order, and there are no skeletons."
Despite the BBC's decision, Jenas is reportedly unhappy with the situation and is determined to clear his name. He has also parted ways with his long-term agents, MC Saatchi, in the wake of the allegations.
Jenas's dismissal is a major blow for the BBC, particularly given his status as a potential successor to Gary Lineker. In 2021, he expressed his keen interest in the position, stating: "Match of the Day is the biggest job on television, and if I ever got the opportunity of course Iâd say yes. When Gary decides to call it a day, Iâm sure the BBC will have a look around and decide whoâs the best fit for the job.â
The BBC has yet to officially comment on the situation, but the news of Jenas's sacking has understandably generated significant interest within the sports and media world. The nature of the "inappropriate behaviour" allegations remains unclear, and it is currently unknown whether TNT Sports, where Jenas also works, is aware of the situation.
