BACK ON THE MIC
Jermaine Jenas says he’s ‘coming back a better person’ as he returns to talkSPORT after ‘inappropriate’ texts
Jenas will return on Sunday
JERMAINE Jenas says he's "coming back as a better person" and admits "inappropriate" actions as he returns to talkSPORT.
The ex-footballer, 41, is back at the station after six months, following his sacking from the BBC amid allegations of workplace misconduct.
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On the same day it was confirmed he had lost his £190k-a-year Beeb job, Jenas anchored talkSPORT's drive time show for the last time.
The ex-England and Premier League midfielder is pencilled in to form part of the commentary team for the Aston Villa vs Tottenham FA Cup match on Sunday.
Ahead of his return, Jenas told the station: “The biggest thing in this whole situation is about taking responsibility and that has been at the forefront of my mind…
"There's a reason why you're in this position and there's a reason why this has happened.
READ MORE ON JENAS
"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.”
He continued: "Essentially this is about me looking inwards, making some improvements and coming back a better person.”
Liam Fisher, Head of talkSPORT, said: "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."
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Bosses at talkSPORT were made aware of his BBC sacking moments before he went on air in the summer.
It later emerged he had been dismissed after sending explicit texts to two female colleagues.
Jermaine Jenas’ wife Ellie breaks silence on sexting scandal & tells The Sun: 'It's been tough'
It came after the broadcaster had issued reformed workplace culture guidelines in light of the Strictly Come Dancing and Huw Edwards scandals.
Jenas made an initial return to broadcasting in October - at the Emirates stadium covering Arsenal v Liverpool for an overseas network which was not shown on British airwaves.
JENAS HAS HIS SAY
Speaking to the Sun at the time of his sacking, Jenas apologised to his wife but denied being a sex pest.
He insisted he had done nothing illegal but said he was sorry if he made the women involved uncomfortable.
Speaking less than 24 hours after The Sun revealed he had been fired from Match of the Day and The One Show following the complaints, Jenas said: “I am ashamed, and I am deeply sorry.
He was sacked in an excruciating online meeting with HR and senior corporation execs, including being shown a string of X-rated messages he'd sent.
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.
“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.
“I’m not proud of what I wrote and what I said. And I do consider it cheating, yes, although nothing physical ever happened.
“This is all on me and I fully accept there is a level of responsibility that needs to be upheld when you’re a member of the BBC.
“And I fell below those standards. I must take the responsibility.
“I was given an incredible opportunity and I know it’s on me that right now I feel I have lost everything. I feel like people are judging me and that I am the number one target right now in the country.”
Jenas - who had previously been tipped to replace Gary Lineker as MOTD host - revealed he was sacked by the BBC five days after the initial HR consultation process began.
The BBC’s Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski informed all staff of the former Spurs star’s sudden dismissal only after The Sun had broken the story online.
Jenas insisted he thought this “says everything about the BBC’s handling of it all really”.
While former colleagues, both on and off screen, had been advised not to contact him due to the legal situation, he says several well-known faces and production staff have offered their support.
Jenas said he knows one of the women involved through work and she gave him her mobile number at a boozy work event.
They then “frantically” sexted over 24 hours but he claims it ended amicably.
Speaking at the West Lodge Park hotel in North London, Jenas denied sending any sexual pictures or videos.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
He said: “That was not the case.”
After being told of the allegations against him, Jenas lied to his wife Ellie in a desperate bid to stall and “find a way out of this mess”.
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