Jermaine Jenas, 41, issues fresh apology as talkSPORT presenter returns after six-month absence
Jermaine Jenas has made a fresh apology for his previous workplace misconduct as he prepares to return to broadcasting with talkSPORT.
The former England midfielder, who was dismissed by the BBC in August, will join the commentary team for Sunday’s FA Cup match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.
The 41-year-old appeared on talkSPORT on Friday, where he acknowledged his past behaviour had been ‘wildly inappropriate’ during an interview with Shebahn Aherne on Jim White’s mid-morning show.
In the interview, Jenas expressed his commitment to personal growth and improvement for his family’s sake.
“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 told Aherne.
The former Tottenham player emphasised his focus on self-reflection, stating: “Essentially this is about me looking inwards, making some improvements and coming back a better person.”
However, talkSPORT’s decision to bring Jenas back has sparked significant internal tensions at the radio station, according to the Daily Mail.
Some staff members have reportedly informed management they would refuse to work with the ex-midfielder.
Others have expressed anger over what they perceive as a lack of consultation regarding his return.
The controversy follows Jenas’s last appearance on talkSPORT in August, when he was live on air as news of his BBC dismissal broke.
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Station bosses had been informed of his sacking just moments before his broadcast.
It later emerged that his BBC dismissal was due to sending explicit texts to two female employees, where he had worked on Match Of The Day and The One Show.
In his initial apology 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.”
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He acknowledged having “a problem” and confirmed he was seeking professional help through therapy.
talkSPORT head Liam Fisher has backed Jenas’s return to broadcasting.
“Jermaine Jenas addresses his past behaviour in this frank interview,” Fisher said. “He has a proven track record as a footballer turned pundit and we look forward to his expert commentary on Sunday.”
The station will feature Jenas as part of their extensive FA Cup coverage, which includes commentary on 11 matches across the weekend.