BBC viewers have spotted The One Show has wiped all trace of Jermaine Jenas from its branding after his shock sacking.
The former professional footballer, 41, was axed by the Corporation yesterday for allegedly sending unsolicited messages to a female member of staff.
The furious sportsman-turned-presenter has instructed lawyers and said there are “two sides to the story” when quizzed about his dismissal while presenting on talkSPORT last night.
Jenas raked in close to £200,000-a-year from his work on Match of the Day and had been tipped as Gary Lineker’s successor. His earnings for The One Show have not been publicly disclosed.
He has now been removed from all One Show branding with immediate effect following his departure and posters featuring him have been taken down at Salford’s Media City.
The One Show’s social media banner used to feature him alongside co-host Alex Jones, but it is now just plain pink.
That has been mirrored on iPlayer and the backdrop to its thumbnail clips.
Overnight we exclusively revealed Jenas was booted off the BBC after women complained about his workplace conduct.
A female One Show colleague raised concerns over alleged flirty texts and others came forward amid a probe into digital communications said to have been sent by the married ex-footballer, 41.
His axing comes as the BBC reels from scandals involving Strictly and newsreader Huw Edwards.
Digital communications — likely WhatsApps and/or Instagram DMs — were allegedly uncovered during the probe which was spearheaded by new BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski.
Jenas’s sacking comes weeks after he was named Ally of the Year at the Women’s Football Awards.
He is understood to have told his wife of 13 years, Ellie, about the claims, which he is said to be “deeply unhappy” about.
She is understood to be standing by him.
A source said last night: “This latest incident of alleged misconduct in the workplace is the last thing the BBC needed. It has shocked, and rocked, everyone.
“The first complaint was raised after Jermaine flirtily messaged a female member of staff on The One Show, and she raised her misgivings in a formal capacity.
“The BBC knows it cannot now ignore concerns or complaints so after immediate routine enquiries the decision was taken to take him off air, and terminate his contract.
“They acted swiftly and decisively.
“In the wake of the Huw Edwards and Strictly Come Dancing scandals — although, to be clear, Jermaine’s conduct is absolutely nothing like Huw’s and there is no suggestion of illegality whatsoever — the BBC cannot be seen to be slow to take action.
“In this case, Jermaine was the fall guy and was fired.
“He has yet to say his side of the story but he has made it known privately to friends he is unhappy.
“Presenters, cast and crew have all been asked not to contact him whilst legal matters are ongoing — as a result a lot of Chinese whispers have been circulating.
“Not even top talent like Alex Jones, Alan Shearer or Gary Lineker knew about this. It was shrouded in secrecy.”
The Sun broke the story on our website yesterday afternoon — moments before Jenas began his talkSPORT Drive show alongside ex-player Jermaine Pennant.
Within four minutes of the news breaking, Mr Kay-Jelski emailed BBC staff: “Hi all, I wanted to let you know that Jermaine Jenas is no longer working for the BBC.”
Last night talkSPORT said it had no plans for the star to broadcast “in the immediate future”.
