Jermaine Jenas apologises for ‘inappropriate’ sexting scandal that led to his sacking by the BBC as former England star returns to talkSPORT after six months
Jermaine Jenas has issued a fresh apology for his previous behaviour ahead of his return to punditry work with talkSPORT.
The former Newcastle and Tottenham midfielder – who was capped 21 times by England between 2003 and 2009 – was sacked by the BBC in August amid allegations of workplace misconduct after sending explicit texts to two female employees.
However, he is now set to serve as part of talkSPORT’s commentary team for this Sunday’s FA Cup clash between Aston Villa and Spurs.
Jenas, 41, appeared on talkSPORT as a guest on Friday when an interview of him talking to Shebahn Aherne was aired during Jim White’s mid-morning show.
He agreed with Aherne that his previous conduct had been ‘wildly inappropriate’.
Jenas also said that he had sought help and that he was committed to ‘improving himself’ for the sake of his wife and two children.
Jermaine Jenas appeared on talkSPORT on Friday to issue a fresh apology for his past conduct
Jenas was sacked by the BBC in August for sending explicit texts to two female employees
‘Once you accept those things, then you can work on yourself and you can work on the other things and you can work on your family and work towards a brighter future,’ Jenas said as he addressed his faults.
He continued: ‘Essentially this is about me looking inwards, making some improvements and coming back a better person.’
Liam Fisher, head of talkSPORT, added: ‘Jermaine Jenas addresses his past behaviour in this frank interview.
‘He has a proven track record as a footballer turned pundit and we look forward to his expert commentary on Sunday as part of our coverage of 11 FA Cup commentaries across the weekend on the network.’
Mail Sport reported earlier this week that talkSPORT’s decision to give work and airtime to Jenas had triggered serious unrest within the radio station.
The decision led some staff to tell bosses that they would refuse to work with the ex-midfielder and it left others angered by a perceived lack of consultation.
Prior to Friday, Jenas – who presented The One Show for the BBC – had not been heard on the airwaves since August.
He had been live on talkSPORT when news of his departure from the BBC was announced. Bosses at the station had been made aware of his sacking moments before he went on air.
The talkSPORT interview that aired on Friday was conducted by journalist Shebahn Aherne
It later emerged that his dismissal had be linked to him sexting two female employees at the BBC, where he also worked on Match Of The Day.
Jenas first issued an apology days after his sacking.
Speaking to The Sun in August, Jenas said: ‘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.
‘I have made a lot of mistakes, and I am asking myself a lot of questions at the moment. I know there’s a lot of work that needs to be done, and it will be hard.
‘Before any of this became public, I saw my private doctor and after a long discussion, booked in for therapy to try and address these issues, where they stem from, and why I have been doing this and hurting the people I love.’
