BBC bosses secretly compiled a dossier of damning evidence against Jermaine Jenas before confronting the star about his behaviour and sacking him, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Following a complaint filed by a junior employee, corporate officials launched an investigation without Jenas’ knowledge that reportedly lasted several weeks.
BBC sources claim bosses, including sporting director Alex Kay-Jelski, wanted to investigate further after being told the former footballer had sent inappropriate and unsolicited text messages.
This prompted executives to speak to colleagues and examine mobile phone data before showing the evidence to the presenter.
He was almost immediately sacked from his £190,000-a-year job on Match of the Day and The One Show by video call last week while on holiday with his wife, model Ellie Penfold, and their three children.
BBC bosses secretly compiled a dossier of damning evidence against Jermaine Jenas before confronting the star about his behaviour and sacking him, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
He was phoned to be told he was fired while on holiday with his wife, model Ellie Penfold (seen with Jenas at Wimbledon in July) and their three children.
He was sacked from his £190,000-a-year job on Match of the Day and The One Show (seen presenting with Alex Jones)
A source close to the matter said: “This was a pretty clinical dismissal.
“Unlike some of the difficult situations the BBC has experienced in recent years with problematic behaviour by staff, this investigation had already taken place. It left no room for the BBC to fight back.”
BBC staff are furious at Jenas’ attempt to defend herself. She told The Sun the messages were between “consenting adults”.
They are also outraged by threats from the 41-year-old former Premier League star to sue the BBC despite bosses being confident they had evidence to sack him.
Staff are also angry that he does not appear to recognise the position of power he held over the junior production team involved, said to have been made up of women in their 20s and 30s. One told the Mail on Sunday: “Jermaine has a bit of a reputation at the BBC for being a womaniser.
This was a pretty clinical dismissal.
‘The bosses wanted him… and he knew it. That meant he was in a position of power, that he was the star and not just any star, an ex-English footballer.
“If someone like that messages you, it’s awkward to say no or ask them to stop. There’s an element of fear that comes with not responding.”
It has been quite a fall for Jenas, the former England and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder who had leapfrogged many other players to become a TV presenter.
His career began at BT Sport as a football commentator, before landing his big break as presenter of Match of the Day spin-off MOTDx.
She became a household name after joining The One Show in 2021, alongside co-hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp.
He is said to have been chosen as Gary Lineker’s replacement in time as the main presenter of Match of the Day.
But new boss Alex Kay-Jelski, who became BBC director of sport four months ago and led the investigation, has taken a hard line.
Jenas is said to have been chosen as Gary Lineker’s replacement in time as main presenter of Match of the Day.
Following a complaint from a junior employee, corporate executives launched an investigation without Jenas’ knowledge that is said to have lasted several weeks.
BBC bosses are aware that they have come under heavy criticism for their dithering over the Huw Edwards scandal. The former newsreader is pictured outside the courthouse last month
BBC bosses are aware that they have been heavily criticised for their dithering over the Huw Edwards scandal. The presenter was convicted on three charges of making indecent images of children months after being suspended.
In a brief one-line email, Mr Kay-Jelski wrote: “Hi everyone, I wanted to let you know that Jermaine Jenas is no longer with the BBC.”
Mr Kay-Jelski is no stranger to controversy, having told The Times that transgender women competing in women’s sports is “not a big deal”.
This sparked a furious backlash from women’s rights campaigners, including Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who said it was “totally predictable” that the BBC would hire someone with such views.
If Jenas has sent you inappropriate text messages, please email me confidentially at: katie.hind@mailonsunday.co.uk
