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Welsh broadcaster Alex Jones has revealed she had "no idea" about complaints made against her former co-presenter Jermaine Jenas before he was sacked from the BBC. The One Show host said she was kept in the dark about the workplace conduct allegations until after Jenas had already left the corporation.
The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was removed from the presenting team at BBC's Match Of The Day and The One Show following alleged issues relating to workplace conduct. Before his dismissal in August, Jenas had been a regular pundit on sports programmes and a presenter on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Jones thought Jenas was on leave
Jones, 48, who co-presented with Jenas 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," Jones explained. "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."
Support for workplace action
The Welsh presenter expressed support for the BBC's handling of the situation, drawing on her perspective as a mother. "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," she said.
After being sacked from the BBC, Jenas apologised, saying he had done "nothing illegal" and that "inappropriate messages" sent were "between two consenting adults". Months later, Jenas' wife, Ellie Penfold, announced the couple had split up after 16 years together.
Personal impact on Jenas family
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." She continued: "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."
Jenas returned to broadcasting on TalkSport radio in February after the outlet distanced itself from him in the wake of his departure from the BBC. This marks his first major broadcasting role since the controversy that ended his BBC career.
Previous co-presenter departures
It is not the first time Jones has had a co-presenter leave The One Show under difficult circumstances. Jason Manford, who joined the programme at the same time as her in August 2010, resigned only three months into the role for sharing sexual internet messages with female fans.
Despite co-presenting on the show for just a few months, Jones said she is still "really good pals" with Manford. The full interview with Alex Jones can be read in this week's Big Issue, which is on sale now.
(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
