by Former football star Jermaine Jenas has suffered sleepless nights since being sacked by the BBC for sending inappropriate texts to female colleagues.
The 41-year-old described his life as a “zombie” as he grappled with the impact on his marriage, family, career and reputation. Jenas expressed his shame at his actions after the allegations came to light, revealing that his wife, Ellie Penfold, is furious and is not speaking to him at the moment amid the scandal.
The canceled The One Show host insisted he had done nothing illegal and apologized if any of the women he sent the information were uncomfortable. Jenas expressed his humiliation after his life collapsed last Thursday following the consolidation of the corporation and a “painful” meeting with HR and executives.
The former Match of the Day presenter denied sending any revealing images or videos.
Here, we explore the most disturbing revelations from the sex-text scandal, reports the Mirror.
READ MORE: Jermaine Jenas’ wife kicks him out of bedroom as BBC presenter admits to binge eating
READ MORE: Jermaine Jenas’ wife makes a decision because ‘multiple women’ make claims against him
Dismissed from the BBC.
Jenas was fired from BBC productions last Thursday. He later issued a heartfelt apology to his fans following his dismissal.
He said: “I’m ashamed, and I’m very sorry,” the former Newcastle United and Tottenham footballer said in an interview with The Sun newspaper. “I am let down, my family, my friends and my colleagues are down, and I owe everyone an apology especially the women I was messaging with. I’m sorry, then.
“I’m sorry for what I put them through. I think it would be fair to say I have a problem. I know I’m self-sabotaging and I have a self-destructive streak when it comes to my especially relationships, and I know I’m getting help.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes, and I’m asking myself a lot of questions right now. I know there’s a lot of work to do, and it’s going to be hard.”
He added: “I didn’t do anything illegal, these were inappropriate messages between two consenting adults.”
Elsewhere, a BBC spokesman said: “We can confirm that it is no longer part of our production line-up.”
Jenas has been married to model Ellie for 13 years. According to official figures published last year, Jenas earned £190,000 to £194,999 for his work on the BBC’s FA Cup, Match of the Day and World Cup.
He joined The One Show in 2020 as a stand-in co-host following the departure of Matt Baker and was made a permanent fixture the following year.
The moment Jenas told his wife he had been fired
Ellie, who has been married to the presenter since 2011, is said to be “absolutely furious” since finding out about the scandal and now Jenas has opened up about the moment he told her.
The father of four had to come clean about being fired when Ellie believed he would be returning to her job on The One Show. Delivering the shocking news, Jenas told his wife: “I’ve been sacked by the BBC.”
When questioned by Ellie, the former midfielder “admitted to sending inappropriate text messages to two girls,” according to The Sun. Jenas insists he did nothing illegal and that the messages were exchanged between consenting adults, one of whom, he claims, showed an interest in him.
He denies any allegations that indecent images or videos were sent.
Couples therapy
Before the scandal, Jenas revealed that he and his wife were seeking couples therapy after a series of heated arguments.
The couple’s relationship has been strained for some time, as Jenas admitted last year. He admitted that his work on The One Show put a strain on their marriage as he would socialize with his colleagues while Ellie stayed at home.
“It was all shiny, but to my wife, it was like nappies, milk,” he said.
“I’m a very practical dad and I always try to help but, still, she wasn’t getting that satisfaction in her own life.”
He revealed that they decided to seek professional help, saying: “It was really for marriage stuff. We’ve done some work together in the past. But that’s my wife’s business, if I’m being honest honest with you.”
Jenas emphasized that the relationship “takes work”. The couple have three children together – daughters Geneva, 11, and Olivia, eight, and two-year-old son Jacob.
The former footballer admitted that he is not sure if Ellie will forgive him in light of the text scandal.
‘Best lawyers involved’
After being fired from his role at the BBC, Jenas has reportedly hired legal representation to handle his case.
The star’s downfall came after she was fired for sending inappropriate messages to two female colleagues. In his public apology, he expressed his shame at being sacked by the BBC but insisted his actions were not criminal.
After his career-breaking moment, he expressed his frustration saying that he felt like he had become “the fall man” among other BBC controversies. Jenas said: “I think everyone has seen what the BBC has been doing recently with Huw Edwards and Strictly. I don’t think I should be the one to fall. Now I think they don’t know what to do. to do, apparently, because, as I said, he didn’t feel great how the situation was handled.”
He is now considering legal action against the BBC for their handling of his firing and the subsequent release of his private details. Confirming his future steps, he shared: “That’s something my lawyers are going to be looking at, and that they – the BBC – need to look as well at protecting everyone in the future. But my head is frazzled. Totally focused on keeping my family and kids safe, so it’s in the hands of my lawyers.”
‘Stop apologizing to the women involved’
Jenas testified that he tried to apologize to the female staff members, but was blocked from doing so. Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, he explained: “When the whole thing was happening and I knew I was losing my job, I asked HR if I could contact the two women directly and apologize to both of them.
“But because of the legal process, I wasn’t allowed. I didn’t get the chance to apologize to them at that particular point when I really wanted to apologize. I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart in terms of what I put them through.”
In a direct appeal during the interview, he issued an unequivocal apology to the women involved.
Tough talks on family vacations
In light of his current troubles, Jenas’ pet dog seems to be taking on those who weren’t impressed with his behavior.
According to the BBC presenter who was sacked, even his canine companion has given him a cold reception following the recent fall of his sack. His partner of 13 years is reportedly furious at his behaviour, but Jenas revealed his dog looked at him with disdain after claims emerged he had sent inappropriate messages to colleagues.
In addition, he admitted that he had a heated discussion with his children during a family trip to Marbella. He revealed to his wife a story that was shot last Monday.
After the recent news, he admitted that they are now focusing on his family, praising his wife as “wonderful”. He admitted that they hadn’t communicated much, saying, “we didn’t really talk” and revealed that Ellie was “absolutely raging” about the situation.
He expressed uncertainty about whether she would forgive him but mentioned that he has started therapy to work through his “self-sabotage issues”.
As the summer holidays are limited to them at home, he explained that they are “trapped in the house”. Despite the challenges, Jenas expressed his regret, saying, “sorry to all of them”, and continued to praise his wife: “My wife is solid and she’s great. She’s kind . You just need some time.”
