Alex Jones, a prominent presenter on BBC's The One Show, has publicly stated she was "the last to know" about the sexting scandal that led to the dismissal of her former co-host, Jermaine Jenas.
The Scandal That Rocked the BBC
During an appearance on Jamie Laing's Great Company podcast, Jones, 48, addressed the controversy for the first time. The scandal involved former footballer and TV pundit Jermaine Jenas, 42, who was axed by the BBC in August last year following claims he had sent inappropriate text messages to female colleagues.
An internal investigation was launched by the corporation, resulting in Jenas being removed from his roles as a presenter on The One Show and as a pundit for BBC Sport. The professional fallout was severe; not only was his BBC contract terminated, but he also parted ways with his long-term agents, MC Saatchi, and was let go from his role presenting Formula E.
Alex Jones's Personal Reaction
Jones, who had worked alongside Jenas and considered him a good friend, expressed her personal shock at the situation. "JJ and I had become good friends. I was the last to know," she revealed during the podcast interview.
She voiced her support for the internal process, stating, "The BBC dealt with it, and I think if people feel uncomfortable, they have to deal with it." Jones framed her perspective through the lens of motherhood, adding that if it were her daughter in a similar situation, she would hope she felt empowered to speak up and that the company would take appropriate action.
She praised the women who came forward, describing it as "an incredibly brave thing to do" and confirming she has "a lot of respect" for them. Reflecting on her own career, Jones acknowledged that while there were uncomfortable moments in the industry in the past, nothing had left a lasting, traumatic impression on her.
Wider Consequences for Jermaine Jenas
The repercussions of the scandal extended far beyond Jenas's professional life. In March of this year, his wife, Ellie Penfold, announced their separation after 16 years together. The couple share four children.
Penfold took to social media to confirm the split, writing, "I never imagined I would have to share something so personal with the public, but given the situation, I feel it's necessary." She asked for privacy for their children during this challenging time.
Following the allegations, Jenas expressed profound regret, stating he was "ashamed of himself" and that his wife was livid and not speaking to him. He stressed that he had done nothing illegal but apologised if he had made any of the women he messaged feel uncomfortable. The former One Show star denied sending any explicit pictures or videos, but described the meeting with BBC HR and executives that led to his dismissal as "excruciating".
