Former One Show presenter Jermaine Jenas has spoken publicly for the first time since his sacking from the BBC nearly two years ago, admitting he lost 'everything' after allegations of sending unsolicited texts to a female colleague emerged.
In an interview on ITV's Good Morning Britain, the ex-Newcastle United footballer said: 'I've lost everything, essentially. My job, my family, everything was kind of taken away from me.' Jenas was fired from the BBC in 2024 following claims he sent explicit messages to multiple women, including a staff member on The One Show.
Jenas, who co-presented The One Show from 2020 to 2024, told hosts Ranvir Singh and Kate Garraway: 'It's been a tough two-year period, in particular [for] my family... I got to this point where I was like, 'I feel like I need to start speaking.'' He confirmed he had apologised to those involved and accepted he was '100 per cent' in the wrong, adding: 'This was a marital thing more than anything, I need to apologise to my wife.'
During the interview, Singh pressed Jenas on whether he recognised the power imbalance, to which he replied: 'I know what I did was wrong and accept the punishments, so nobody's skirting around the responsibility.' Jenas and his wife Ellie Penfold announced their separation in March 2025 after nearly 20 years together.
A BBC spokesperson said: 'We do not comment on individuals, but we will always look at any issues raised with us and take the action as appropriate.' Jenas, who also appeared on Match of the Day, retired from football at 32 before moving into presenting.
