The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was removed from the presenting team at the BBC One show
Alex Jones has said she had “no idea” about complaints made against her former co-presenter Jermaine Jenas as she spoke for the first time about his The One Show exit.
The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was removed from the presenting team at the BBC One show, as well as BBC’s Match Of The Day and The One Show following alleged issues relating to workplace conduct.
Before he was sacked in August, Jermaine had been a regular pundit on sports programmes and a presenter on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Alex, 48, who co-presented with the former footballer on The One Show, told the Big Issue she did not know about the complaints until he had left.
She said: “I very much take people on face value. But with JJ [Jenas] I didn’t know what was going on. I had no idea. I thought he was taking extended leave.
“The BBC didn’t share with me what was going on until they actually dealt with it. And, you know, they did what they thought was right.”
She added: “If that was my daughter and she felt uncomfortable with someone’s behaviour, I hope that whatever company she was working for would deal with it swiftly as well.”
After being sacked from the BBC, Jermaine apologised, saying he had done “nothing illegal” and that “inappropriate messages” sent were “between two consenting adults”.
“The last six, seven months have been extremely tough for myself and my family,” he said in an interview with TalkSport in February.
“But it’s also been a really good opportunity to kind of take stock, have a good look at why you find yourself in these kind of situations, and start to have some honest conversations, really.
“With yourself, with other people, people that are close to you, people that have been very supportive during this period of time and just kind of work your way back to a position where I can get back to doing what I love most.”
Months later, his wife, Ellie Penfold, announced the couple had split up after 16 years together. In a statement on her Instagram story, Penfold said: “I never imagined I would have to share something so personal with the public, but given the situation, I feel it’s necessary.
“After 16 years together and 4 wonderful children, Jermaine and I have decided to part ways. We will remain friends and continue to co-parent.”
Jermaine returned to broadcasting on TalkSport radio in February after the outlet distanced itself from him in the wake of his departure from the BBC.
The full interview with Alex Jones can be read in this week’s Big Issue, on sale now.