Presenter Jermaine Jenas has claimed he is now a “better person” since being sacked by the BBC in August 2023 following allegations of inappropriate behaviour. The former Tottenham star was removed from his role as a presenter of The One Show and a pundit for BBC Sport after digital communications, including texts, were raised with the corporation, resulting in an internal investigation launched.
After routine enquiries, Jenas’ contract was terminated, he had been paid between £190,000 and £194,999 for his roles according to official figures published last year. Prior to the allegations, he had been tipped as a future presenter of Match of the Day, at the time he said he was “ashamed” of his actions.
“I am ashamed, and I am deeply sorry. I have let myself down, my family, friends and colleagues down, and I owe everyone an apology — especially the women with whom I was messaging. I am so, so sorry. I am sorry for what I have put them through,” he told The Sun.
“I have made a lot of mistakes, and I am asking myself a lot of questions at the moment. I know there’s a lot of work that needs to be done, and it will be hard. Before any of this became public, I saw my private doctor and after a long discussion, booked in for therapy to try and address these issues, where they stem from, and why I have been doing this and hurting the people I love.
“This is all on me and I fully accept there is a level of responsibility that needs to be upheld when you’re a member of the BBC. And I fell below those standards. I must take the responsibility. I was given an incredible opportunity and I know it’s on me that right now I feel I have lost everything. I feel like people are judging me and that I am the number one target right now in the country.”
Now, the 41-year-old will be making his comeback as a presenter for talkSPORT this weekend, making up part of the commentary team for the Aston Villa v Tottenham match on Sunday.
Ahead of his return, Jenas has addressed the allegations: “The biggest thing in this whole situation is about taking responsibility and that has been at the forefront of my mind… There’s a reason why you’re in this position and there’s a reason why this has happened.
“Once you accept those things, then you can work on yourself and you can work on the other things and you can work on your family and work towards a brighter future. Essentially this is about me looking inwards, making some improvements and coming back a better person.”
Liam Fisher, Head of talkSPORT, said: “Jermaine Jenas addresses his past behaviour in this frank interview. He has a proven track record as a footballer turned pundit and we look forward to his expert commentary on Sunday as part of our coverage of 11 FA Cup commentaries across the weekend on the network.”