“I’m ashamed” – Jermaine Jenas speaks out after being sacked by the BBC

Jermaine Jenas has admitted he feels ‘ashamed’ of his actions after being sacked by the BBC for inappropriate behaviour, but insisted ‘false information’ is being spread.

The former Tottenham and Newcastle midfielder was sacked by the BBC following allegations of inappropriate behavior – including sending unsolicited messages to female co-stars on The One Show.

Jenas was working live on talkSPORT when this news came out and he told the radio station that he cannot talk about this matter and it is in the hands of the lawyers.

But in a long interview with Solezwe published on Friday, Jenas did wrong and publicly apologized to his family, friends and colleagues.

Jermaine Jenas speaks like this following the dismissal of the BBC

“I’m ashamed, and I’m very sorry,” said Jenas.

“I’ve let myself, my family, friends and colleagues down, and I owe everyone an apology – especially the women I texted with. I’m sorry, I’m sorry.

“I’m sorry I put them through it.

“I think it would be good if I said I have a problem. I know I’m self-harming and self-harming when it comes to my relationships especially, and I know I need help. And I get help.

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes, and I’m asking myself a lot of questions right now. I know there is a lot of work to be done, and it will be difficult.

“Before this came to light, I saw my private doctor, and after a long discussion, I signed up for treatment to try to deal with these problems, where they come from, and why I am doing this and hurting the people I love.

“I am not proud of what I wrote and what I said. And I consider it cheating, yes, even though nothing physical has ever happened.

“It’s all up to me and I fully accept that there is a level of responsibility that needs to be maintained when you’re a member of the BBC.

“And I fell below those standards. I have to take responsibility.

“I’ve been given an amazing opportunity and I know it’s up to me that right now I feel like I’ve lost everything. I feel like people are judging me and I’m the best in the country right now.”

Jenas dismissed allegations that the texts he sent to female colleagues were unsolicited, insisting the communications were between ‘consenting adults’.

“These were two agreeable adults I was talking to,” Jenas continued. “One time he made it clear that he loves it. I don’t want to start down the road of ‘who followed who’, but when people are saying wrong things and false information is being spread, I have to defend my position.

“On that occasion, there was an adult conversation that took place in a bar in London where the man made it clear that he was attracted to me. Yes there was alcohol but I take full responsibility.

“I feel that people do not know the truth and create wrong ideas about me.

“I wasn’t going through some kind of BBC trying to get women’s numbers. Obviously I will say that I am not a sex parasite.

“These were the consenting adults I was texting.”

The former England player also denied posting inappropriate photos or videos, insisting that “it was not the case”.

Jenas was on holiday with his wife and children when he was fired by the BBC for a video call.

“It was just a sad situation. You have to sit there and listen to what he said. I’m not proud of anything,” Jenas remembers.

“It’s embarrassing, and there are obviously four people on the Zoom phone, actually, listening to all of this, and reading my messages. I think I was in shock at the time, there was a lot to process.

“But I’m the one who’s married, I’m at fault, and I’ve been playing this blame game in my head.

“The thing that worried me was that I might lose my family.

“There is something I pray for that there is a level of compassion or understanding that we are human and we all make mistakes, some are bigger than others and mine is a big mistake.

“But that didn’t happen, and of course the whole situation was very bad – and right now I’m not sure how I feel, but I don’t think I’ve ever been lower.”