Jermaine Jenas says ‘everything was taken away from me’ as he addresses sexting scandal in heated interview
Jermaine Jenas has opened up on how his BBC sacking has taken its toll on his life, two years on from the inappropriate text scandal.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, the former footballer said that 'everything was taken away' from him in the wake of his BBC exit.
A probe was launched into his alleged behaviour back in 2024 after he was said to have acted inappropriately towards a fellow member of staff on The One Show.
The female colleague suggested that she had received unsolicited communications over text, which also prompted others to raise concerns about his conduct in the workplace.
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Jenas, who also worked on Match of the Day, said: “I think that I reached a point recently where there was a lot of uncertainty in my life and fear. It’s been a tough two years.
“I feel like I need to start speaking. I’ve lost everything, my job, my family, everything has been taken away from me. I have faced the punishment.
“I was thinking about my wife Ellie and what I put her through. It continues to be hard for my family.”
The ex Tottenham Hotspur man admitted that it had been a 'tough' couple of years for him personally, as months after the allegations first surfaced, it was also confirmed that he had split from his wife Ellie after 16 years together, and 14 years of marriage which also saw them have three children.
However, he also hit back at the hosts of GMB after they quizzed him on what he had 'learnt' from the scandal that saw him lose his job.
He said: “When it comes to ‘what have you learnt?’, Kate, I think that’s a very specific thing to try and put your finger on.
“I think it’s probably a little bit of an unfair question just to find that one thing. I think you go through life, you make mistakes.
“I think there were things happening outside of work that were affecting my behaviour also.”
In the immediate aftermath of his sacking, the 43-year-old admitted that he was 'ashamed' of his actions but suggested that the messages were between consenting adults.
"I did nothing illegal — these were inappropriate messages between two consenting adults," he told The Sun.
“I am ashamed, and I am deeply sorry. I have let myself down, my family, friends and colleagues down, and I owe everyone an apology — especially the women with whom I was messaging. I am so, so sorry.
“I am sorry for what I have put them through.
“I think it would be fair to say I have a problem. I know I self-sabotage and have a self-destructive streak when it comes to my relationship especially, and I know I need help. And I am getting help."
Topics: Good Morning Britain
James Moorhouse