Jermaine Jenas' wife 'makes decision' after BBC sacking

Jermaine Jenas' wife is standing by the former footballer following his sacking from the BBC

PA
Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 23/08/2024

- 10:10

The 41-year-old was axed by the broadcaster on Thursday

Jermaine Jenas' wife, Ellie Penfold, has reportedly decided to stand by her husband after his sacking from the BBC on Thursday.

The former Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Tottenham star has been axed after accusations of 'inappropriate behaviour', which he strongly denies.


Jenas won't be returning to the BBC on programmes The One Show and Match of the Day.

He's admitted he's 'not happy' with the Beeb's decision to terminate his contract, with the broadcaster informing staff of his departure on Thursday.

Jermaine Jenas wife

Jermaine Jenas' wife is standing by the former footballer following his sacking from the BBC

PA

Jenas has been married to Penfold since 2011, having previously got engaged in 2009.

And Penfold is 'standing by her husband', according to The Sun, despite being accused of sending an unsolicited text to a female member of staff.

The couple have three children together and live in Hertfordshire.

Jenas said on talkSPORT on Thursday that he was 'not happy' but wouldn't be commenting further, with lawyers currently fighting his cause. He initially didn't want to discuss the subject live on air but, after a bit of pressure from a presenter, opened up a little bit.

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"I can't really talk about it," said the 41-year-old. "As you can probably see, I'm not happy about it.

"But currently as it stands I'm going to have to let the lawyers deal with it.

"There's two sides... that's all I can say now."

An insider says the scandal is the 'last thing the BBC need'.

READ MORE: Jermaine Jenas 'was sacked very quickly' as details of text message allegations emerge after BBC axing

They're quoted as saying: "This latest incident of alleged misconduct in the workplace is the last thing the BBC needed.

"The first complaint was raised after Jermaine flirtily messaged a female member of staff on The One Show.

"She raised her misgivings in a formal capacity. The BBC knows it cannot now ignore concerns or complaints.

"So after immediate routine enquiries the decision was taken to take him off air, and terminate his contract.

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Jermaine Jenas

Jermaine Jenas and Ellie Penfold have been married for 13 years

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"They acted swiftly and decisively. In this case, Jermaine was the fall guy and was fired.

"Although there is no suggestion of illegality whatsoever, the BBC cannot be seen to be slow to take action.

"He has yet to say his side of the story but he has made it known privately to friends he is unhappy."

Jenas had previously been seen as the frontrunner to replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day.

Jermaine Jenas

Jermaine Jenas denies any wrongdoing with the former BBC star set to fight to clear his name

talkSPORT

Lineker could leave the BBC next year, when his contract is due to expire, with the 63-year-old currently profiting from his Rest is Football podcast - where he often appears alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.

However, Jenas is now set to fight the BBC's decision to cut him loose with the former footballer denying any wrongdoing.

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