Jermaine Jenas and wife Ellie Penfold split this week, less than a year after Jermaine parted ways with the BBC after being accused of sending inappropriate texts to female colleagues
Jermaine Jenas and Ellie Penfold have parted ways (
Image: WireImage)
Jermaine Jenas’ allegations of sending inappropriate texts to female colleagues was “too hard” for his wife to live with, a source said.
Ellie Penfold and the former footballer split this week after nearly two decades together, less than a year after Jermaine parted ways with the BBC amid the texts scandal.
At the time Jermaine, 42, insisted that he and Ellie would save their marriage. Ellie remained tight-lipped until her social media bombshell on Tuesday, which a source says happened because the situation had become too much for the mum.
The source added: “It was too hard for her to live with… It really affected the kids. The girls had to go to school knowing that their father’s name was all over the internet and social media. Can you imagine how awful that must have been?”
Ellie told her 14,000 Instagram followers she and Jermaine, who played 21 times for England, “remain friends” and will continue to co-parent their three children whose ages range from two to 11. Jermaine also has a 16-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.
The presenter was sacked by the BBC in August amid the allegations ( PA)
Speaking to Mail Online, the source continued: “Ellie could only blame Jermaine. It was the most horrific thing for him to do, and it all blew up in his face. It was devastating. She had been his long-standing and loyal wife, always there at home to support him and bring up his children.”
Jermaine, who played for Tottenham Hotspur for eight years, was sacked from his role at the BBC in August 2024. Earlier that month, a female member of The One Show staff complained that he had sent her explicit text messages and images she didn’t want.
Since then, Ellie had largely left her husband’s publicist to talk on her behalf, including when she launched her teens’ skincare brand Preppy at the end of last year.
But on Tuesday, the mum wrote on Instagram: “I never imagined I would have to share something so personal with the public, but given the situation, I feel it’s necessary. After 16 years together and 4 wonderful children, Jermaine and I have decided to part ways. We will remain friends and continue to co-parent.”
