When Jermaine Jenas first joined The One Show, it proved to be a turbulent period for his marriage, with the couple left battling behind the scenes. The former footballer, 41, was sacked by the BBC after they became aware of alleged inappropriate behaviour involving texts to a female colleague. An email sent to staff by the corporation's Director of Sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, abruptly brought his time at the Beeb to an end on Thursday.
It read: "I wanted to let you know that Jermaine Jenas is no longer working for the BBC." Addressing the email, a BBC source told the Mirror : "It was brutally short and to the point. It felt like there was no messing around.
" Jermaine has remained tight-lipped on the topic, stating that he isn't happy with the claims and there are "two sides to every story". The telly star last presented The One Show alongside co-host Alex Jones on July 22 and it is believed that Jermaine's wife of 13 years, Ellie Penfold, is sticking by his side. Since his playing days ended, Jermaine has built a stellar career in front of the cameras, working with the BBC and TNT Sports, focusing on their football coverage and Formula E as a host.
Prior to becoming a full-time presenter on The One Show in 2021, he worked as a step-in host covering for Matt Baker alongside Ronan Keating . Jermaine previously spoke out about how his wife, model Ellie, struggled with his new job when he started presenting. The couple tied the knot in 2011 and share three children - two daughters, Geneva and Olivia, and son Jacob.
When Jermaine retired from football and moved into "glitzy" TV work, interviewing A-list stars and attending events, model Ellie found it hard being at home raising their children. He admitted that they would row about him staying out after filming to socialise with colleagues and guests on the show. He would often not get back until 11pm and Ellie was left to do the school run the next morning.
Speaking to Mail Online last year, Jermaine said: "I would say up until about five years ago it was quite stressful for us both. There was a lot of competing going on in our relationship and a lot of 'you get to do this' or 'you don't do this'." He added: "It was a lot to do with the kids and the fact that I had this new career starting and I was out and about and meeting new people and going to shows.
.. it was all glitzy but for my wife it was like nappies, milk.
.. I am a very hands-on dad and I'm always trying to help but still, she wasn't getting that fulfilment in her own life.
" The couple faced their relationship problems head on and Jermaine suggested to Ellie that she "go away" for a few days once or twice a year to prioritise herself. He explained that their tactic now is to communicate "before the crisis hits". The former Match of the Day presenter added: "We are 15 years deep into our relationship and there isn't anything we won't talk about whatever the frustration may be, we will have that conversation but that has only happened in time.
" According to the BBC's annual report of their best-paid staff, Jermaine was ranking in between £190,000 to £194,999 in 2023, but has now lost that hefty wage after spending almost a decade working for the broadcaster. A statement from a BBC spokesperson on Thursday read: "We can confirm that he [Jenas] is no longer part of our presenting line up.".
