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 due to "issues relating to workplace behaviour" after a complaint was made about several texts sent by the pundit. The 41-year-old will no longer appear alongside Gary Lineker on Saturday nights or as the host of The One Show. He had recently appeared on air during last Saturday's Premier League match between Ipswich and Liverpool, where he was part of the commentary team.

The BBC is dealing with the complaint towards Jenas very strictly and commented that the action had been taken because of "allegations involving digital communications such as texts, which were raised with the corporation a few weeks ago".

The broadcasters have already taken down a giant mural featuring the ex-England international from their Media City headquarters in Manchester. Jenas was previously 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. He was spotted on the air hosting a segment for talkSPORT on Thursday, just minutes after the news broke that his contract had been terminated. 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.