Jermaine Jenas has revealed he wanted to stay married to his wife, Ellie Penfold, despite the difficulties they faced following his sacking from the BBC last year.
The former footballer, who had a successful career with Newcastle and Tottenham and represented England 21 times, faced serious controversy after sending explicit messages to two BBC employees, leading to his dismissal in August 2024.
The Breakup After 16 Years Together
At the time of his firing, Jenas had hoped he and Ellie, who married in 2011, could work through their problems.
However, despite his efforts, their relationship ended in March 2025.
Ellie shared the news of their split on social media, expressing that after 16 years together and raising four children, they had decided to part ways but would remain friends and co-parents.
She also asked for privacy for their children during this challenging time.
Jenas Admits His Desire to Stay, But Acknowledges Ellie’s Decision
In a candid conversation on the Filthy Fellas podcast, Jenas admitted that he would have preferred to stay in the relationship, even if it meant sacrificing his happiness for the sake of his kids.
He shared that while Ellie had likely reached her breaking point, he was more than willing to stay in the house with her and their children, even if it meant enduring personal unhappiness.
However, Jenas accepted that Ellie made the decision to end their marriage, and he has respected her wishes.
Family Comes First, Despite the Split
Jenas emphasized that both he and Ellie’s priority now is their children.
They have adopted a co-parenting approach, focusing on being the best parents they can be.
He shared how much time he’s been spending at home, trying to maintain stability for the kids, and noted that while his relationship with Ellie has shifted to a friendship, he is still adjusting to the reality of living separately from his family.
The Struggles of Moving On
Looking back on their years together, Jenas admitted that there would be moments when he would miss having his entire family around him.
He explained that he would often sit in his apartment, reflecting on the change, as he adjusted to the absence of his kids’ presence and the familiar sounds of family life.
He acknowledged that their split wasn’t solely due to the scandal but stemmed from deeper issues that had built up over time.
Public Support Amidst Personal Scandal
Despite the turmoil in their marriage, Jenas publicly praised Ellie in November 2024, shortly after her launch of her personal care brand, Preppy.
He wrote on Instagram expressing pride in her entrepreneurial journey, noting how hard she worked to turn her idea into a reality, even during the difficult time in their relationship.
His support for her success was clear, even though their marriage was crumbling.
The BBC Scandal and Jenas’ Admission of Guilt
Jenas also opened up about the scandal that led to his sacking from the BBC.
He admitted to sending explicit texts but insisted that he had done nothing illegal.
He denied sending indecent images or videos and clarified that the messages were between consenting adults, one of whom had shown interest.
Still, Jenas expressed deep regret and apologized for his actions, calling them a mistake.
A Painful Moment: Learning of His Firing During a Family Holiday
The former footballer also recounted the painful moment he learned of his firing during a family holiday in Marbella, Spain.
Jenas described the experience as “grim,” having to sit through a video call with four people reading out his inappropriate texts while he was with his wife and three children.
This moment was a turning point for him, and he confessed to lying to Ellie afterward to try to cover up the situation.
Ellie’s Focus on Moving Forward
In her statement about the scandal, Ellie emphasized her focus on her children and her personal brand.
She stated that despite the challenges, her priority remained her family and that she would continue to build her business.
She also expressed her desire to move forward and leave the difficult period behind.
A Humbling Lesson About Career and Consequences
Since returning to punditry work on talkSPORT, Jenas has been reflecting on the lessons learned from his actions.
He acknowledged how quickly a career can be taken away and recognized the importance of family and hard work.
Jenas seems committed to moving forward, learning from his mistakes, and focusing on being a better father and individual.
