Jermaine Jenas' new career gets underway one year after BBC sext sacking and split from wife
Jermaine Jenas says he has adopted a new approach to work as he looks to rebuild his media career almost a year on from the scandal that saw him sacked by the BBC
Jermaine Jenas has a clear plan for his career after being sacked by the BBC
(Image: The Dressing Room Podcast )
Jermaine Jenas has detailed his plans to get his media career back on track following the sexting scandal that cost him his BBC job.
The former One Show presenter was sacked by the broadcaster last year following complaints about workplace conduct. Jenas apologised to two former female colleagues for sending "inappropriate messages", although he insisted they were 'between two consenting adults'. He also stepped away from talkSPORT presenting duties, only to return to the station in February this year, insisting he was "taking responsibility" for his actions and had become a "better person".
Jenas, who played for Newcastle and Tottenham in the Premier League, has also split from his wife Ellie Penfold and is eager to make a fresh start, both professionally and personally. The 42-year-old addressed his plans, which include a new podcast, during an appearance on The Dressing Room Podcast with fellow ex-footballers Joe Cole, Carlton Cole and Wayne Bridge.
He said: "You eventually land in a place, where I am now, where I still feel like I'm evolving and growing. But I am happy, yeah. When I first went [to myself], 'Right, what do you want to do?' control was my big thing. No one's ever gonna control my life again.
"Whether I go back into broadcasting, whether it's with TNT, or I go somewhere else and get back involved in television, it will all be on my terms as to how much I want to do, when I want to do it.
Jenas and Ellie Penfold are divorcing
(Image: WireImage )
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"And that's allowed me to start developing my own stuff as well, which is my bag anyway... I've filmed five documentaries, I've done all these social issues documentaries, I've done TV for God knows how long. I've gained enough experience to be able to run my own stuff now."
One of those projects is a new podcast Jenas has started with heavyweight boxer Derek Chisora called 'Let Me Tell You Something with Derek and JJ', which launched at the end of June.
"Honestly, it's been great," said the 21-cap former England international. "So I set up my own production company, which I'd been wanting to do for years. Me and Derek have been good mates for about 10 years.
"I know the image I had in the media, which was what was eating me alive a little bit. This pristine, corporate, perfect [person]. You know, family life, wife [and] kids, and it's not sustainable. So they put you in that box, but I'm like, 'That's not me.' Then you're on The One Show, and it gets even more.
Jenas says wants more control over his career
(Image: The Dressing Room Podcast )
"So in my mind, I knew I wanted to do a podcast, and I was thinking about it with Derek for ages, because I know two sides to Derek. Derek's rogue No.1, he is. But he's also got this other side, where [the] guy likes being at home, loves his kids more than anything, like we all do, loves his missus, and he just knows how to sell fights."
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He continued by saying if his co-host needs to "throw a table at someone's head" to get attention for a bout, that's exactly what he'll do, a nod to the time Chisora infamously hurled a table towards Dillian Whyte during a press conference ahead of their 2016 fight. Chisora went on to lose a split decision.
Jenas outlined the concept of their podcast, focusing on sharing tales of guests' "wins, losses and the legacy you leave behind." To date, two episodes have been released, with the first featuring comedian Katherine Ryan as the guest.
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