BBC chiefs secretly compiled a dossier of damning evidence against Jermaine Jenas before confronting the star over his behaviour and sacking him, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
After a complaint from a female junior member of staff, Corporation executives launched a probe without Jenas’s knowledge – said to have lasted several weeks.
BBC insiders say bosses, including director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, wanted to investigate thoroughly after being told the ex-footballer had sent inappropriate and unsolicited text messages.
It led to executives speaking to his colleagues and examining mobile phone data before showing the presenter the evidence.
He was axed almost immediately from his £190,000-a-year job at Match of the Day and The One Show by video call last week while on holiday with wife, model Ellie Penfold and their three children.
BBC chiefs secretly compiled a dossier of damning evidence against Jermaine Jenas before confronting the star over his behaviour and sacking him, The Mail on Sunday can reveal
He was phoned about the dismissal while on holiday with model wife Ellie Penfold (seen with Jenas at Wimbledon this July) and their three children
He was axed from his £190,000-a-year job at Match of the Day and The One Show (seen presenting with Alex Jones)
An insider said: ‘This was a pretty clinical dismissal.
‘Unlike some of the messy situations the Beeb have been in recent years with problematic staff behaviour, this investigation was already done. It left him no room to fight back.’
Female BBC employees are furious at Jenas’s bid to defend himself. He told The Sun the messages were between ‘consenting adults’.
They are also up in arms at the 41-year-old former Premier League ace’s threats to sue the BBC despite bosses being certain they had evidence to sack him.
Staff are also angry that he does not seem to acknowledge the powerful position he held over the junior production team involved – said to be women in their 20s. One told the Mail on Sunday: ‘Jermaine has a certain reputation at the BBC for being a ladies’ man.
‘He was loved by the bosses… and he knew it. That meant he was in a position of power, he was the star and not just any star, a former England footballer.
‘If someone like that messages you, it’s awkward to say no to them or to ask them to stop. There is a certain element of fear that comes with not replying.’
It has been quite a fall for Jenas, the former England and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder who had beaten many other players to become a TV presenter.
Jenas was said to have been chosen as Gary Lineker’s replacement in time as the main anchor of Match of the Day
After a complaint from a female junior member of staff, Corporation executives launched a probe without Jenas’s knowledge – said to have lasted several weeks
BBC bosses are conscious they have been heavily criticised for dithering over the Huw Edwards scandal. The former news anchor is seen outside court last month
His career began at BT Sport as a football pundit, before landing his big break, hosting Match of the Day spin-off series MOTDx.
He became a household name after joining The One Show line-up in 2021 – alongside co-hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp.
He was said to have been chosen as Gary Lineker’s replacement in time as the main anchor of Match of the Day.
But new boss Alex Kay-Jelski, who became BBC director of sport four months ago – and who led the investigation – took a hard line.
BBC bosses are conscious they have been heavily criticised for dithering over the Huw Edwards scandal. The presenter was convicted of three charges of making indecent images of children months after he was suspended.
In a terse one-line email, Mr Kay-Jelski wrote: ‘Hi all, I wanted to let you know that Jermaine Jenas is no longer working at the BBC.’
Mr Kay-Jelski is no stranger to controversy, after claiming in The Times that transgender women competing in women’s sports was ‘not a huge problem’.
This, sparked an angry backlash from women’s rights campaigners including Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling, who said it was ‘utterly predictable’ of the BBC to hire someone holding those views.
If Jenas sent you inappropriate texts email me in confidence at: katie.hind@mailonsunday.co.uk