More details behind Jermaine Jenas’ BBC sacking have been revealed, after alleged ‘whispers’ around the national broadcaster’s offices.
The 41-year-old, who presented The One Show and appeared on Match of the Day, had his contract terminated by the corporation this week. The BBC received a complaint about text messages sent by the presenter last month, and launched a probe, the Mirror reported.
It has transpired that the former England player has been sacked over claims of unsolicited inappropriate texts involving a female employee of The One Show, the publication stated.
READ MORE: Jermaine Jenas starts new role just minutes after BBC sacking announcement
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Staff at the BBC have been left in shock at the development. Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski emailed staff at 3.39pm on Thursday saying simply: “I wanted to let you know that Jermaine Jenas is no longer working for the BBC.” A source said: “It was brutally short and to the point. It felt like there was no messing around.”
(Image: BBC / Nick Eagle)
Staff on The One Show had been in the dark up until Thursday morning when rumours started up that he had been given the boot. A source said: “The staff WhatsApps were suddenly abuzz with what was going on. There have been whispers that something was afoot but bosses had kept the investigation close to their chest.”
BBC bosses were determined to act decisively and swiftly. A source added: “It’s a very sensitive landscape at the BBC at the moment with the various scandals that have beset it of late. Any hint of workplace misconduct and they needed to come down on like a ton of bricks.”
He was last on air on the BBC earlier in the summer.
In a statement released today (August 22), a spokesperson for the BBC said: “We can confirm that he [Jenas] is no longer part of our presenting line up.”
Before his sacking, Jenas had a long running career at the BBC working on Match of the Day, with whispers that he would be Gary Lineker’s successor. According to reports, Jermaine landed a new job soon after the announcement was made.
His BBC exit came amid whispers of ‘workplace conduct’ issues and claims of ‘allegations of inappropriate behaviour’.
Following the statement, it was announced that Jenas will be working for talkSPORT and will be teaming up with ex-Liverpool player Jermaine Pennant for the afternoon programme Drive.
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