Match of the Day shock as Jermaine Jenas is sacked by the BBC after allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour', leaving show scrambling for replacement

Jenas - who was absent from the first Match of the Day of the season - has been removed by the BBC after complaints of "inappropriate behaviour". The 41-year-old will no longer appear alongside Gary Lineker on Saturday nights or as the host of The One Show. His last appearance in the media was during last Saturday's Premier League match between Ipswich and Liverpool, where he was part of the commentary team.

The BBC are said to be taking the complaint towards Jenas very seriously and have already taken down a giant mural featuring the ex-England international from their Media City headquarters in Manchester. Jenas has previously been tipped as a successor to Lineker for Match of the Day but will now battle to clear his name after reports revealed he is not happy with the decision to take him off the air.

A source close to the matter told The Sun: "A complaint was raised concerning Jermaine's behaviour. After some immediate routine enquiries the decision was taken to take him off air, and terminate his contract. The BBC's new Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski has been heavily involved in this whole process, and is adamant that his new house is firmly in order, and there are no skeletons. At present, the feeling is he won't be back on the BBC."

It remains to be seen whether Jenas will continue his other TV duties after being dismissed by the BBC. Alongside his TNT role, Jenas had also been spotted hosting the recent Formula E season, which concluded in late July. Match of the Day will have to scramble to find a replacement for the former Premier League man ahead of the next round of fixtures this weekend.