“The One Show” and “Match of the Day” presenter Jermaine Jenas is no longer employed by the BBC.
“We can confirm that he is no longer part of our presenting line up,” a BBC spokesperson told Variety after news broke in The Sun of his firing. Though the tabloid cited “inappropriate behavior” as the cause, the BBC did not provide a reason for his exit.
Meanwhile, BBC News cited sources who said his firing was due to “workplace conduct” and occurred after complaints were raised a few weeks ago. It appears that Jenas has also been removed from the website of his agency, MC Saatchi.
Representatives for Jenas and MC Saatchi did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment.
The 41-year-old is a former professional footballer, having played for various club teams including Newcastle United and Tottenham as well as England’s national team. After an injury caused him to formally retire from the sport in 2016, he became a freelance football pundit and began presenting on BBC One’s “The One Show” in 2020 alongside Alex Jones. The next year, he was made one of the show’s permanent hosts. He has also frequently appeared on the BBC One’s “Match of the Day,” a football highlights program that airs on Saturday nights during the Premier League season.
Jenas’ firing comes in the wake of fresh scrutiny directed at the broadcaster after former presenter Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children last month. It was then revealed that Edwards had remained employed by the BBC even after his arrest in November 2023, and still earned a hefty salary. The BBC has since said it would pursue the return of the money Edwards made during that time.
“Mr. Edwards pleaded guilty to an appalling crime,” the BBC’s executive board stated. “Had he been up front when asked by the BBC about his arrest, we would never have continued to pay him public money.”
Source Agencies
