Jermaine Jenas’ father has admitted the 41-year-old is fighting to save his marriage following his recent sacking from the BBC.
The former England midfielder was axed by the broadcaster after sending inappropriate messages to two female members of staff, with the Beeb dismissing him after a thorough investigation behind the scenes.
Jenas has fronted up and accepted responsibility for his actions, while also revealing wife Ellie Penfold is ‘raging’.
And his father, Dennis, has now admitted the ex-Tottenham, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest star is fighting to stay with Ellie.
“He’s battling to save his marriage. It’s hit the family hard at the end of the day,” he told The Mirror.
“He knows he shouldn’t have done what he did and he wants to keep his family together and he knows he has hurt his wife and kids.”
Dennis lives in Texas, while Jenas resides in Hertfordshire.
Jenas’ father said he called his son immediately after the scandal and is happy to provide support at such a difficult time.
JUST IN: Emma Raducanu ‘facing sponsorship crisis’ as details emerge after nightmare US Open exit
“I called JJ as soon as I saw what had happened. He’s my little man, my trouper, my main guy,” he said.
“I left the UK a long time ago but I’ve kept in contact with him, always.
“He was very upset of course. He did not think he had been treated well by the BBC.
“I didn’t ask him what he had done as I knew whatever it was it wasn’t illegal.
READ MORE: Jermaine Jenas update as U-turn on lifeline ‘could be made’ following BBC sacking
“I tried to give him a boost and the support he needed. He was in a state and needed it at the time.”
Reports earlier this week said Jenas could be given a TV lifeline.
He is expected to continue to work with TNT Sports, who will make a decision on his future during the next international break.
Dennis says he’s ‘confident’ that Jenas will ‘get his TV career back’ despite losing roles on Match of the Day and The One Show.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Man Utd fans say ‘good riddance’ and blast Jadon Sancho after winger joins Chelsea on transfer deadline dayCarlos Alcaraz ‘not well mentally’ as tennis star delivers alarming verdict after shock US Open defeatEmma Raducanu’s earnings from US Open revealed after disappointing Sofia Kenin defeat
“He’s hoping he gets his TV career back and I am confident he will,” he added.
“The BBC is a big organisation and has protocols in place to deal with this kind of thing. That has to be respected.
“Ultimately, if the BBC and JJ come out of this better and stronger then all good.”
Jenas himself, meanwhile, has admitted he’s ‘ashamed’ of himself – while also expressing a belief that he has a ‘problem’.
“I am ashamed and I am deeply sorry. I have let myself, my family, friends and colleagues down, and I owe everyone an apology, especially the women with whom I was messaging. I am so, so sorry,” he said.
“I think it would be fair to say I have a problem.
“I know I self-sabotage and have a self-destructive streak when it comes to my relationship. I know I need help. And I am getting help.
“I have made a lot of mistakes, and I am asking myself a lot of questions at the moment. I know there’s a lot of work that needs to be done, and it will be hard. I’m not proud of what I wrote and what I said.”
