Jermaine Jenas has accused the BBC of blocking him from apologising to the women he sent unsolicited text messages to following his dismissal from the broadcaster earlier this week.
The 41-year-old was axed by the Beeb after sending inappropriate messages to two members of staff, with the former Tottenham and Newcastle star admitting he crossed a line.
Jenas is full of remorse for his actions as he battles to save his marriage to his wife, Ellie Penfold.
Speaking to The Sun, the ex-footballer says he wanted to apologise to the women he messaged. However, he's also accused the BBC of blocking him from doing that.
“When it was all unfolding and I knew I was losing my job, I asked HR if I could contact the two women directly and apologise to both of them," he said.
"But because of the legal process, I wasn’t allowed.
“I didn’t get the opportunity to say sorry to them at that particular point when I really wanted to apologise.
“I really want to apologise from the bottom of my heart in terms of what I’ve put them through.”
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Jenas also believes different departments within the BBC were told 'different things' while admitting it was 'hell'.
“The handling of the situation wasn’t great. It was quick — and hell," he admitted.
“I don’t think there was a game plan for when they were going to announce they’d fired me.
"I think different departments were being told different things. I think it’s shocking.
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“I left within two days. I did Saturday and by the Monday I was fired.
"Although an internal email went out to all BBC staff after the story broke, I actually think the Director of Sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, did it before.
“I think the sports department was told something totally different to what everybody else was told — for example, the entertainment department, which includes The One Show.
“From a process point of view from the BBC, it’s shocking.”
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Jenas has admitted his wife, Ellie, is 'raging'.
He is also sorry for the impact his text messages has had on the two women in question, issuing a direct apology to them.
“I’m genuinely sorry for what I’ve done to you," he said.
"I always thought it was consensual and a two-way thing.”
Jenas is unhappy with his dismissal, with lawyers working on his behalf.
Ellie is believed to have kicked him out of the bedroom while the saga plays out, with the couple fighting to keep their marriage alive following the scandal.
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