Jermaine Jenas has insisted he is now a 'better person' after returning to talkSPORT for the first time since he was sacked by the BBC. Jenas was removed from his role as a presenter of The One Show and a pundit for BBC Sport in August 2023 following allegations of inappropriate behaviour. Digital communications, including texts, were raised with the corporation, with an intenal investigation launched.
After routine enquiries, Jenas' contract was terminated, with the BBC's new Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski understood to have been heavily involved in this whole process. He had been paid between £190,000 and £194,999 for his roles on the BBC according to official figures published last year. The former Tottenham star also parted ways with his long-term agents MC Saatchi and was let go from his role presenting Formula E following the allegations. He will now be returning to frontline work with talkSPORT this weekend.
He is scheduled to form part of the commentary team for Aston Villa's FA Cup fourth round clash against Tottenham on Sunday. Ahead of his return, Jenas has addressed the allegations and insisted he will come back a changed man. Jenas told the station: "The biggest thing in this whole situation is about taking responsibility and that has been at the forefront of my mind… There's a reason why you're in this position and there's a reason why this has happened.
"Once you accept those things, then you can work on yourself and you can work on the other things and you can work on your family and work towards a brighter future. Essentially this is about me looking inwards, making some improvements and coming back a better person.”. Jenas had been on air anchoring talkSPORT's drivetime show when news of his sacking broke. That was the last time he appeared on the station, with its chief Liam Fisher pleased to welcome him back.
Fisher, Head of talkSPORT, said: "Jermaine Jenas addresses his past behaviour in this frank interview. He has a proven track record as a footballer turned pundit and we look forward to his expert commentary on Sunday as part of our coverage of 11 FA Cup commentaries across the weekend on the network.". Jenas had been tipped as a future presenter of Match of the Day before his sacking. Following his exit, he admitted to being 'ashamed' at his actions.
“I am ashamed, and I am deeply sorry. I have let myself down, my family, friends and colleagues down, and I owe everyone an apology — especially the women with whom I was messaging. I am so, so sorry. I am sorry for what I have put them through," he told The Sun. “I have made a lot of mistakes, and I am asking myself a lot of questions at the moment. I know there’s a lot of work that needs to be done, and it will be hard. I’m not proud of what I wrote and what I said. And I do consider it cheating, yes, although nothing physical ever happened.
“This is all on me and I fully accept there is a level of responsibility that needs to be upheld when you’re a member of the BBC. And I fell below those standards. I must take the responsibility. I was given an incredible opportunity and I know it’s on me that right now I feel I have lost everything. I feel like people are judging me and that I am the number one target right now in the country.”.
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