Jermaine Jenas has spoken out after reportedly being sacked from the BBC following an alleged complaint about “inappropriate behaviour”.
The presenter, 41, hosted the likes of The One Show and Match of the Day.
According to reports, a complaint was lodged about Jermaine’s behaviour and the BBC has launched an investigation.
The BBC has since confirmed that married dad-of-four Jermaine is no longer a part of the presenting line-up.
During a radio appearance on Thursday evening, Jermaine insisted there’s “two sides”. The news of his departure broke as he went on air.
Jermaine Jenas breaks silence
Speaking to a talkSPORT reporter, Jermaine said: “I can’t really talk about it. As you can probably see, I’m not happy about it. But currently as it stands I’m going to have to let the lawyers deal with it.
“There’s two sides to every story as we know, that’s all I can say now. I’m not happy about this situation. I’m going to be speaking to my lawyers about it, is all I can say right now.”
When asked a series of questions about the allegations against him, Jermaine insisted he ‘couldn’t talk’ about it.
The interviewer later said to the former footballer: “I can see you’re fuming,” to which Jermaine replied: “Yeah.”
Jermaine then asked if they were still on air. The interviewer confirmed they were “still recording” and Jermaine demanded: “Turn it off.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for talkSPORT said the station was “made aware of a breaking news story involving Jermaine Jenas as he went on air for a one-off presenting slot on talkSPORT Drive”.
They added: “We made a decision – with Jermaine – that he should continue to present the show.
“Given the array of serious allegations being reported as the story continues to evolve, it’s for Jermaine as a private individual to address them in the way he chooses.
“There are no plans for Jermaine to broadcast as a presenter on talkSPORT in the immediate future.”
Jermaine Jenas ‘sacked’ from BBC
A source told The Sun: “This is a categorical nightmare for the BBC. A complaint was 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.”
They added: “At present, the feeling is he won’t be back on the BBC.”
A BBC spokesperson told us: “We can confirm that he is no longer part of our presenting line-up.”
Meanwhile, a source claims that Jermaine is “not happy” with the BBC’s decision. ED! has contacted a rep for Jermaine for comment.
BBC complaints
It comes amid a turbulent time for the BBC following complaints made about its hit autumn show, Strictly Come Dancing.
Two of the show’s professional dancers exited in recent months following misconduct allegations.
Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima will not return for the 2024 series. Giovanni has denied “any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour”.
Meanwhile, Graziano left Strictly after allegations he kicked, hit and spat at his 2023 dance partner Zara McDermott. He recently spoke out and insisted he “didn’t deliberately hurt anyone”.
Jermaine Jenas career
Former footballer Jermaine has presented on Match of the Day since last year.
He has co-hosted The One Show since 2020. He became a permanent host in 2021.
Read more: The One Show star Lauren Laverne shares ‘unexpected’ cancer diagnosis as she takes time off
The One Show airs weekdays from 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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