Jenas story highlights importance of Match of the Day.
It reflects the enduring importance of Match of the Day that breaking news about Jermaine Jenas’ “inappropriate behaviour” quickly escalated into a debate about the future of the BBC’s long-running flagship football programme. Jenas was considered heir apparent to Gary Lineker as the show’s host. Was. One minute the Beeb are lighting 60th birthday candles for the show and the next they are having to put out a fire.
Even in a world of illegal streaming, satellite TV, YouTube footage and Premier League games on Sunday and Monday, the Saturday highlights show still matters. Viewing figures of 2m+ confirm that. I do a Sunday morning radio programme and, as fan and journalist, Match of the Day is a must watch. It still sets the agenda.
So the Jenas’ story matters, not least because his dismissal by the BBC strengthens Lineker’s hold on the role. Speaking on talkSPORT, where he was on air as allegations of inappropriate texts emerged via the Sun and Mail, Jenas said, “I am not happy about it. I’ll have to let the lawyers deal with it. There are two sides to every story.”
Jenas, 41, now has time to address that but his seemingly inexorable journey to the Match of the Day presenter’s seat seems over. The BBC wasted no time in taking down pictures of him at their Salford HQ and telling staff he no longer works for them. If Jenas had a shirt number at the BBC, it would already have been assigned to someone else.