JERMAINE Jenas is set to be given a career lifeline by TNT Sports following his sacking by the BBC.
TNT has no plans to remove him from their screens and he is expected to return later this season, the Telegraph reports.
The former England star was sacked by the BBC for allegedly sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues.
But TNT has kept Jenas on its books – and he is expected to return after next month’s international break.
An official date is yet to be confirmed.
TNT declined to comment but is expected to make an announcement during the Premier League break next month.
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It has been confirmed Jenas was not banished from commentary duty at Brighton’s Premier League win over Manchester United on August 24.
Despite conflicting reports, the TV personality was not actually scheduled to appear.
It is understood if evidence is found of any more cases of inappropriate behaviour by Jenas at the BBC, TNT would change their approach on keeping him on their roster.
Jenas is employed as a freelancer by TNT and also presents TNT’s E Sport programming.
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He commentated on Liverpool’s opening-day Premier League win over Ipswich for TNT on August 19.
But he was absent on Match of the Day because of the BBC investigation.
It comes as the former footie ace is ‘like a Zombie’ as he struggles to deal with the damage done to his family.
And after being thrown out of the marital bedroom by “raging” wife Ellie, the broken presenter fears losing his 13-year marriage.
The ex-Match of the Day and One Show host, now seeing a therapist to help him survive the crisis, said his head has barely hit the pillow since the BBC confronted him over inappropriate messages sent to women colleagues.
The former England, Spurs and Newcastle ace said: “I feel ashamed.
“I feel I’ve let everybody down.
“Friends, family, colleagues.
“I’m pretty much as low as I’ve ever been.”
Jenas also revealed that BBC bosses blocked his attempts to apologise to the two female colleagues at the centre of his sex text shame.
He said: “I wasn’t allowed to contact the women at all.”
The shaken former Premier League and England footballer has also blasted the BBC over the way it dealt with his sacking.
“The handling of the situation wasn’t great. It was quick — and hell,” he said.
“I don’t think there was a game plan for when they were going to announce they’d fired me.
“I think different departments were being told different things. I think it’s shocking.”
Jenas was sacked in an online meeting with HR and senior executives on Monday — five days after the initial consultation process and two days after he worked on the Saturday.
He has slammed the dismissal process, which happened over a Zoom call while he was on holiday in Spain with wife Ellie and their three kids.
The former Spurs star said he does not want to be made a scapegoat for the corporation’s failings over disgraced news presenter Huw Edwards and the inquiry into bullying claims against Strictly pro dancer Giovanni Pernice.
The BBC has recently reformed workplace culture guidelines in the wake of Edwards continuing to be paid after being arrested on child abuse images charges in November.
Regulations have also been brought in to ensure no more abuses of power occur following the sacking of Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima for allegedly kicking his celeb dance partner Zara McDermott in rehearsals.
BBC Director General Tim Davie has since spoken out on the scandals engulfing the BBC.
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Mr Davie said the recent news stories were “shocking” and said there were “lessons we can learn” to make the “strongest possible workplace culture”.
In an email sent to all BBC staff yesterday, Tim said he wanted to “acknowledge that this has been a demanding period for the BBC”.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
