Jermaine Jenas 'to return as pundit' for first time after sexting shame this weekend

Jermaine Jenas has been lined up to appear on talkSPORT for the first time since being sacked by the BBC over his sexting scandal. Jenas, 41, was sacked by the BBC in August 2024 following complaints about workplace conduct. The 21-time former England international was removed from presenting line-ups of flagship programmes Match Of The Day and The One Show. But Jenas is poised to pick up the microphone again for Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round tie between former clubs Aston Villa and Tottenham. As reported by the the Mail, however, some members of staff at talkSPORT have been left angered.

It's claimed that the decision has led individuals to tell bosses at the radio station they'd refuse to work with Jenas while others are upset regarding a perceived lack of consultation. A source told the Mail: "This is a decision that appears to have been forced on the staff with no consultation. "There's a lot of shock that there was no consultation with female employees. Would you not at least check their views?".

Back in August, Jenas was presenting live on air for talkSPORT just minutes after news of his BBC sacking broke. At the time, a statement from the broadcaster read: "We were made aware of a breaking news story involving Jermaine Jenas as he went on air for a one-off presenting slot on talkSPORT Drive. We made a decision - with Jermaine - that he should continue to present the show," a spokesperson said.

"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.". It later emerged that the ex-midfielder was axed after sending explicit text messages to two female colleagues at the BBC. Mirror Football has contacted representatives for both Jenas and talkSPORT asking for comment.

Jenas made a public apology to his 'absolutely raging' wife, Ellie Penfold, who he married in 2011 and with whom he shares three children. The 41-year-old went on to criticise the BBC for their handling of the situation, saying that he'd let his lawyers deal with the fallout. "The handling of the situation wasn't great. It was quick - and hell," Jenas revealed to the Sun. "I don't think there was a game plan for when they were going to announce they'd fired me. I think different departments were being told different things. I think it's shocking.".

Jenas added that he was 'genuinely sorry' for sending inappropriate messages. He also issued an apology to them two women in question, despite being told not to contact them due to 'legal process'. "I feel so ashamed," Jenas also confessed in the newspaper interview. "I've let everybody down - my colleagues, my friends and, most importantly, I've let my family down.". Jenas made his return to football punditry in October. He worked for an overseas broadcaster when Arsenal played Liverpool in the Premier League.

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