JERMAINE Jenas has been fired by the BBC and taken off air from both Match of the Day and The One Show following complaints about “inappropriate behaviour”.
The BBC launched an immediate internal investigation after concerns were raised about the former England player and he was quietly removed from the broadcaster’s official channels.
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Jenas was sacked after allegations were made by a female member of staff on The One Show.
She had claimed she received unsolicited communications over text.
The BBC confirmed a probe was launched following “allegations involving digital communications such as texts” received a few weeks ago.
A giant mural, featuring the 41-year-old alongside BBC Sport colleagues Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Alex Scott, has now been removed from Manchester’s Media City HQ.
Jermaine – widely regarded as Lineker’s natural successor to Match of the Day – covered this summer’s Euros and commentated on Spain’s semi-final victory over France on July 9th.
The married father of four last presented The One Show alongside Alex Jones on Wednesday 22nd July, and appeared on the Match of The Day panel on May 4th.
He was notably absent from Saturday’s first episode of the new season.
Last night a source said: “This is a categorical nightmare for the BBC.
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“Complaints were 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 been heavily involved in this whole process, and is adamant that his new house is firmly in order, and there are no skeletons.
“At present, the feeling is he won’t be back on the BBC.”
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Jermaine – who has only posted three Instagram pictures since May, in stark contrast to the 73 he posted over the course of last year – has also parted ways with his long-term agents, MC Saatchi, in the wake of the crisis.
The ex-Spurs midfielder is understood to have instructed lawyers as he battles to clear his name.
Sources close to Jermaine insist he is “not happy” with the BBC’s decision.
The star still has The One Show and BBC Sport listed on his official Instagram and Twitter handles.
He was last seen on air on Saturday commentating for TNT Sports – formerly BT Sport – on Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Ipswich.
And on August 2nd he took to Instagram following the climax of the Formula E season for which he was a lead presenter alongside Nicki Shields.
It is not known whether his paymasters at TNT are aware of the current situation with the BBC.
News of Jermaine’s BBC absence – which pays him between £190,000 and £194,999 according to official figures published last year – will prove a huge blow to BBC execs as the star was being lined-up to replace Lineker as MOTD anchor.
The job, arguably one of the most coveted in TV – and one of the most highly paid – had been approved by both men.
In an interview with The Sun in October 2021, Jermaine said he’d love to replace the ex-Tottenham striker 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.”
And the following month, Gary told The Sun: “Jermaine is my natural successor, I think he’s doing well.”
While Jermaine has yet to comment publicly, he recently enjoyed a family holiday to Marbella alongside wife, Ellie, whom he married in 2011, and the couple’s children.
This is the latest crisis to hit the national broadcaster, and comes amid another probe into another national institution – Strictly Come Dancing.
The findings, reportedly two weeks overdue, are yet to be published.
And earlier 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.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “We can confirm Jermaine Jenas is no longer part of the presenting line-up.”