JERMAINE Jenas has revealed that BBC bosses blocked his attempts to apologize to the two female colleagues who were at the center of his embarrassing sex message.
The sacked Match of the Day and One Show host said: “I shouldn’t have contacted the women at all.”
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Jermaine Jenas has criticized the BBC for their handling of his texting scandal after he was prevented from apologizing to the girls he textedCredit: Andrew Styczynski
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Jenas slammed the BBC’s disciplinary action, which took place while he was on holiday with his wife EllieCredit: 2023 Getty Images
Now, in an exclusive interview with The Sun on Sunday, the distraught former Premier League and England footballer has blasted the BBC over the way it handled his sacking.
A tearful Jenas, 41, said: “The handling of the situation was not great. It was fast – and hell.
“I don’t think there was a plan for when they would announce that I was fired.
“I think they were telling different departments different things. I think it’s shocking.”
On his hope to speak to the two colleagues, he added: “When everything was unfolding and I knew I was losing my job, I asked HR if I could contact the two women directly and apologize to both of them.
“But because of the legal process, I was not allowed.
“I didn’t have a chance to apologize to them at that moment when I really wanted to apologize.
“I really want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for what I put them through.”
Addressing the women directly, he said: “I am truly sorry for what I have done to you.
“I always thought it was consensual and a two-way thing.”
Jermaine Jenas ‘not happy’ to be sacked by BBC over ‘spam’
The Sun broke the news on Thursday that the presenter had been sacked from the BBC’s Match of the Day and The One Show following complaints that he had sent inappropriate messages to two women.
He told us less than 24 hours after the discovery: “I didn’t do anything illegal.
“These were inappropriate messages between two consenting adults. I am ashamed and deeply sorry.”
Jenas was fired in an online meeting with human resources and senior executives on Monday – five days after the initial consultation process and two days after working on Saturday.
He lashed out at the termination process, which took place over a Zoom call while he was on holiday in Spain with his wife Ellie and their three children.
I think everyone has seen what has been happening on the BBC recently with Huw Edwards and Strictly.
I just don’t think I should be the one to fall
Jermaine Jenas
Speaking last night, an embarrassed Jenas said: “I left within two days. I worked Saturday and by Monday I was fired.
“Although an internal email was sent to all BBC staff after the story broke, I actually think the director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, did it before.
“I think the sports department was told something completely different to what everyone else was told – for example, the entertainment department, which includes The One Show.
“From the BBC’s point of view of the process, it is shocking.”
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Jenas says he’s truly sorry for the women involved in his texting scandalCredit: Andrew Styczynski
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Jenas says BBC departments have received mixed messages about his disciplinary process, which he describes as ‘shocking’Credit: BBC
The former Spurs star said he did not want to be made a scapegoat for the corporation’s failings surrounding disgraced news presenter Huw Edwards and the investigation into bullying claims against Strictly pro dancer Giovanni Pernice.
The BBC recently reformed its workplace culture guidelines after Edwards continued to be paid following his arrest in November over images of child abuse.
The regulations have also been brought in to ensure there are no further abuses of powers following the sacking of Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima for allegedly kicking his celebrity dance partner Zara McDermott in rehearsals.
Dad-of-four Jenas defiantly said: “I think everyone has seen what’s been happening on the BBC recently with Huw Edwards and Strictly.
“I just don’t think I should be the one going down. I think that sums up where they are right now.
“I think they obviously don’t know what to do from the looks of it because, like I said, the way the situation was handled wasn’t great.”
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Jenas says he feels he has become a ‘fake guy’ because of the BBC’s other ongoing problemsCredit: Andrew Styczynski
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Jenas says his lawyers are assessing how the BBC handled his dismissal and whether confidential information was leakedCredit: 2022 Getty Images
Jenas has engaged a major law firm and sources confirmed last night that they had already sent a legal letter to the BBC and would be actively pursuing his claim.
He is considering suing the broadcaster over its handling of his arrest – particularly the leaking of confidential information about him and the two women and the timing of bosses breaking the news to staff.
Jenas, who says his anxiety has grown, is concerned that senior staff in various departments within the BBC – including sport and entertainment – have openly discussed his dismissal even though it was supposed to remain confidential.
He said: “It is something that my lawyers will be dealing with and something that they themselves — the BBC — must also consider for the protection of everyone in the future.
“But my head is crushed. I am focused solely on my family and the protection of my children, so that is in the hands of my lawyers.”
Jenas, who is currently employed by TNT Sports, received the support of the fans last night.
One said on X: “Getting fired for cheating is crazy.”
Another wrote: “I guess Jermaine Jenas didn’t answer himself… so why was he fired, it takes two to tango.”
Match of the Day co-host Gary Lineker has yet to speak out about the scandal and is understood to have been asked not to contact Jenas while the legal issues are pending.
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