Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas is set to make a controversial return to talkSPORT this weekend, which has caused plenty of backlash.
The ex-BBC presenter, who was dismissed in August over a workplace misconduct scandal, will join the commentary team for the Aston Villa vs Tottenham FA Cup match, according to the Daily Mail.
The decision has sparked serious unrest within the broadcaster, with some staff members refusing to work alongside the 41-year-old following his departure from the BBC over inappropriate messaging to female employees.
The move was relayed to talkSPORT staff earlier this week, prompting immediate backlash from within the organisation.
Jermane Jenas has returned to a punditry rolePAMultiple staff members have already informed management they will not work with Jenas.
Others at the broadcaster have expressed anger over what they perceive as a lack of consultation regarding his return.
At the time of Jenas's BBC dismissal, talkSPORT had stated there were no plans for him to appear again in the near future.
Jenas was dismissed from the BBC last August after sending explicit texts to two female employees at the corporation.
He subsequently issued a public apology to his wife Ellie Penfold, with whom he shares three children and has been married since 2011.
Jermaine Jenas was sacked by the BBC last year
PA"I feel ashamed. I feel I've let everybody down - friends, family, colleagues," Jenas told the Sun after confessing to the allegations.
He also expressed wanting to apologise directly to the female colleagues involved but was unable to due to legal processes.
Prior to his dismissal, Jenas had been a prominent BBC presenter, joining The One Show as a permanent co-host in 2021 after initially standing in following Matt Baker's departure.
He was also a regular pundit on Match Of The Day, Match Of The Day 2 and BBC Radio 5 Live.
Jenas has criticised the BBC's handling of his departure, stating: "The handling of the situation wasn't great. It was quick — and hell. I don't think there was a game plan for when they were going to announce they'd fired me."
The upcoming FA Cup tie will see Jenas provide colour commentary, drawing on his connections to both clubs.
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Jermaine Jenas will be working for talkSPORT this weekend
PAThe former midfielder played more than 150 times for Tottenham Hotspur and also had a loan spell at Aston Villa during his career.
When questioned about his BBC dismissal, Jenas maintained there were "two sides to every story" but said he would let his lawyers handle the matter.
He has already made a return to football punditry this season, working for an overseas broadcaster during Arsenal's match against Liverpool.
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