Jermaine Jenas speaks out for the first time in two years after leaving the BBC over ‘inappropriate messages’.
Jermaine Jenas has finally spoken out two years after he was let go by the BBC for sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues.
Back in August 2024, the former Newcastle United, Spurs, and QPR player was removed from both Match of the Day and The One Show. At the time, Jenas, 41, was one of the BBC’s top pundits, but the messages caused his contract to be ended.
Soon after, he said there were “two sides to every story,” but later he apologized to his wife Ellie and their family. Since then, Jenas has stayed out of the spotlight, focusing on fixing his relationship with Ellie and avoiding public comments.
However, months after he was sacked, Ellie announced they had separated after 16 years together.
Now, Jenas appeared on TV for the first time since the scandal to talk about what happened and what lies ahead for him. On Good Morning Britain, he opened up about how hard the past two years have been for him and his family.
“I’ve lost almost everything – my job, my family, everything was taken away,” Jenas said. “I’m not the one who decides the punishment, but that’s how it played out. More than anything, I’ve been thinking about my kids, Ellie, and what I put her through. It’s been tough for all of us, and that’s where I had to focus most of my energy — trying to protect them.”
When the story broke, several women came forward saying Jenas sent them unwanted and explicit messages. Host Ranvir Singh asked him directly if he had an apology for these women.
Jenas replied, “I’ve always apologized to everyone involved. I don’t think I’ve ever avoided that.”
Ranvir then asked if he realized he was in the wrong. Jenas said, “Since I was in a position of power at work, I shouldn’t have done it. But mostly, this was a personal matter, and I really need to apologize to my wife. I’m not here to beg for my job or to get back on TV. That’s not where I’m at.”
He also said he felt he was punished “heavily” and “disproportionately” for his mistakes. “People make mistakes, and mine have been very public and criticized. I wonder if society allows people to learn and move on anymore, because I’ve felt stuck for the last couple of years.”
“I know what I did was wrong, and I accept the consequences. I’m not asking for my job back. I’m ready to learn and look forward to what comes next.”
Unsurprisingly, many on social media weren’t impressed with his interview. Many felt he didn’t fully take responsibility and some even questioned why he agreed to the interview in the first place.
One person wrote on X, “Why did Jermaine do this interview? Total disaster. Still no real responsibility and sounds awful.”
Another added, “Such a car crash interview. He sounded so defensive and arrogant, complaining about being punished. He hasn’t really apologized or accepted what happened but wonders if he deserves another chance.”
Someone else said, “I don’t think this interview went the way Jermaine hoped. Not sure what he was trying to achieve—probably wishes he’d stayed in bed today.”