Former BBC presenter and ex-footballer Jermaine Jenas has opened up about his struggles with anxiety and sleeplessness following his dismissal from his roles on The One Show and Match of the Day. Jenas was let go after concerns were raised by junior staffers about inappropriate texts he sent to two colleagues.
The 41-year-old, who played for England, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur, revealed that his actions have taken a toll on his personal life, particularly his marriage to Ellie Penfold, his wife of 13 years. Although Ellie is reportedly upset, she has not ended their relationship. Jenas, who shares three children with Ellie and has another teenage daughter from a previous relationship, admitted that he feels immense guilt and shame for his behavior.
"I haven't slept properly since they told me," Jenas shared with The Sun. "The anxiety builds up in your body over these types of things. I haven't taken any sleeping pills; I've just not been sleeping. You just kind of lay there, mind ticking over until you pass out. Part of me would rather go out and run until I collapse."
Jenas expressed deep regret, stating that he feels he has let down his friends, family, and colleagues. He also revealed that he has a "self-destructive streak" and is currently receiving therapy to address these issues.
Despite his dismissal, Jenas maintains that the texts were sent between "two consenting adults" and insists that his behavior was not illegal. He has since issued a direct apology to the former colleagues involved, despite being advised not to contact them due to ongoing legal proceedings.
Jenas joined The One Show in 2020 as a stand-in co-host and became a permanent fixture the following year. He was also a regular pundit on Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2 and was considered a potential successor to Gary Lineker as the host of Match of the Day. However, he was notably absent from the first episode of the new season following the scandal.
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