JERMAINE JENAS and his wife of 13 years Ellie have separated, following his sexting scandal and axing from the BBC.
The former One Show host and Match of the Day pundit was sacked from his £190,000-per-year job with the broadcaster, after he was accused of sending inappropriate text messages to two female colleagues.
The ex-footballer vowed to save his marriage.
However Ellie has released a statement on Instagram revealing they have parted ways.
It read: “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.
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“We will remain friends and continue to co-parent. We kindly ask that you respect our children’s privacy during this challenging time.
“Thank you, Ellie.”
The decision will be a blow to Jenas, who has returned to work at talkSPORT, after he publicly apologised to Ellie “for all the BS” caused by the fallout.
SunSport looks inside their sad split.
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The aftermath
Jenas and Ellie were on a family holiday in Spain when he was quizzed by BBC bosses about his explicit text messages to the female workers.
He admitted sneaking off to talk to his bosses in a secret video call about the allegations.
When they returned, the Beeb made the decision to cut ties with Jenas.
The ex-Tottenham midfielder, 42, insisted he hadn’t done anything illegal and the messages were exchanged by two consenting adults.
However, Ellie was left raging.
She kicked him out of their £1million Hertfordshire mansion
In an interview with The Sun, he said: “We’ve not really spoken properly since. She’s absolutely raging.”
Trying to repair things
Jenas and Ellie tied the knot in 2011.
They share two daughters, Geneva and Olivia, and boy, Jacob, together.
Jenas also has an older daughter, Sancha, from a previous relationship who lives in the United States with her mother.
Privately, Jenas had hoped to save his marriage.
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He said back in August: “It’s just about the children right now. It’s the school holidays and they’re trapped in the house because photographers are outside my house.
“They’re like, ‘What’s going on, Daddy?’. It’s tough.”
He added: “I’ve got to take responsibility and I’ve apologised to all of them.
“I don’t know what to say about that, to be honest with you.
“It’s just hard at home for the kids right now. My wife’s a real one.
“My wife is solid and she’s amazing. She is kind. She just needs some time.”
In that time, Ellie launched her personal care brand Preppy in November at an event she was seen without her wedding ring.
While she shared photos on Instagram of girls’ nights out with her friends.
Ellie told The Sun: “It has been an incredibly hard and difficult time for myself and my family.
“My only focus has been on our children and building my brand Preppy.
“Now I just want to move forward.
“Naturally this has been hard for me but my only concern has been our children and that will not change.”
Jenas also posted his own gushing praise for his wife on social media, following her launch.
He wrote on Instagram: “Couldn’t be more proud of this woman, 3 years ago you had a great idea and this week you got to make that idea a reality.
“Starting a brand is hard enough, but working hard and being committed to getting it done even with all the B******T I’ve dragged you through recently should be enough evidence that you’ll make it a success.”
Xmas snub
But, by the time Christmas came, Ellie hadn’t thawed.
On Christmas Day, Jermaine was absent from any photos she shared on Instagram.
However, the kids were all beaming in matching pyjamas in one she posted of them standing in front of a tree.
Intriguingly, they both shared a journey on The Santa Steam Express with the kids.
Jenas, who was seen wearing his wedding ring, captioned the snaps: “Some Christmas fun with the family.”
While Ellie posted the same pictures separately with emojis including a Christmas tree, dog, snowflake, snowman, and a heart.
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Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for the pair.
But, as their social media suggests, they will be putting their kids first, despite their personal woes.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
