He knows he has hurt his wife & kids..he knows he shouldn't have done what he did

Dennis on BBC soccer star's text shame

- PATRICK HILL, GRANT HODGSON

JERMAINE Jenas is fully aware of the hurt he has caused his family after being axed by the BBC for sending inappropriate texts to staff, his dad revealed.

And Dennis Jenas said the former One Show co-host and ex-Match of the Day pundit is desperate to save his marriage to wife of 13 years, Ellie, and said his sacking has left him in a mess emotionally.

But the 63-year-old football coach also insisted he was supporting his under-fire son and claimed Jenas did not deserve to be treated so harshly by the BBC.

Dad-of-four Jenas, 41, admitted sending messages to colleagues on The One Show and apologised to the women who received them.

Dennis, speaking from his home in Fort Worth, Texas, said: "He's battling to save his marriage.

"It's hit the family hard at the end of the day.

"He knows he shouldn't have done what he did and he wants to keep his family together and he knows he has hurt his wife and kids."

BOOST

Jenas was axed last week from both his BBC roles, where he earned £190,000 for his football punditry.

Dennis added: "I called JJ as soon as I saw what had happened.

"He's my little man, my trouper, my main guy. I left the UK a long time ago but I've kept in contact with him, always.

"He was very upset of course. He did not think he had been treated well by the BBC.

"I didn't ask him what he had done as I knew whatever it was it wasn't illegal.

"I tried to give him a boost and the support he needed. He was in a state and needed it at the time." Jenas was fired after the BBC reformed workplace culture guidelines following the Huw Edwards and Strictly scandals.

The former newsreader quit before he pleaded guilty to having indecent images of children.

There is no suggestion Jenas sent any messages to minors.