The One Show host Alex Jones as well as Match of the Day’s Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer reportedly hadn’t been aware of the scandal involving colleague Jermaine Jenas
Colleagues of Jermaine Jenas like Alex Jones and Gary Lineker were reportedly unaware of the scandal involving the fellow presenter behind the scenes at the BBC.
It was announced on Thursday that Jermaine, 41, had been ‘sacked’ by the BBC following allegations of “inappropriate behaviour”. The former footballer’s departure has been attributed to “workplace conduct,” with it reported that digital communications were raised with the corporation a few weeks ago. Jermaine has however stated in response to the news this week that there are “two sides to every story”.
Following the news, it has been claimed that some of his former colleagues like Alex, 47 – whom he worked with on the One Show – as well as Match of the Day host Gary, 63, and pundit Alan Shearer, 54, had been unaware of the situation. And staff at the BBC have reportedly been told not to contact Jermaine at the moment.
A source told the Sun: “Presenters, cast and crew have all been asked not to contact him whilst legal matters are ongoing.” They added that as a result there has been “whispers” behind the scenes at the corporation recently.
The source commented: “Not even top talent like Alex Jones, Alan Shearer or Gary Lineker knew about this. It was shrouded in secrecy.” The source went on to claim that “everyone” has been “shocked” and “rocked” by the news.
It comes following the suggestion that it was announced to staff at the BBC that Jermaine was no longer working at the corporation in an email sent on Thursday afternoon. A source said: “It was brutally short and to the point.”
Previously, in a statement, a BBC spokesperson said: “We can confirm that he is no longer part of our presenting lineup.” And a source told the Mirror: “It’s a very sensitive landscape at the BBC at the moment with the various scandals that have beset it of late. Any hint of workplace misconduct and they needed to come down [like] a ton of bricks.”
Jermaine was presenting a radio show on talkSPORT around the time that the news of his departure from the BBC was announced. He said on the show: “Look, I can’t really talk about it. I, as you can probably see, I am not happy about it. But currently, as it stands, I’m going to have to let the lawyers deal with it. You know, there’s two sides to every story, as we know. So that’s all I can say right now.”
It’s been claimed that after one woman complained about “unsolicited messages,” other employees also came forward. A source told the Sun: “The first complaint was raised after Jermaine flirtily messaged a female [colleague], and she raised her misgivings in a formal capacity.”
The source continued: “The BBC knows it cannot now ignore concerns or complaints so after immediate routine enquiries the decision was taken to take him off air, and terminate his contract. They acted swiftly and decisively.” They added that “Jermaine’s conduct is absolutely nothing” like former BBC News presenter Huw Edwards and that there’s “no suggestion of illegality”.
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