Jermaine Jenas has emerged as a shock contender to host coverage of Formula E in the UK – and fans of the sport aren't happy about it.
The former Premier League midfielder, best know for stints at Tottenham and Newcastle, has built a rather stacked TV portfolio since hanging up his boots in 2014. He's worked as a football pundit for ITV and TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) but is best known for his work with the BBC where he's a regular guest on Match of the Day and co-host of The One Show.
But it appears Jenas could be about to branch out into motorsport, with The Race reporting that whoever buys broadcasts rights for Formula E – an electric car version of Formula 1 for those who didn't know – will consider him for their lead presenter role.
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Channel 4 held the rights for two years, but with their deal with Formula E now severed the sport is looking for a new home. It's understood ITV and TNT Sports, both of whom have pre-existing relationships with Jenas, are in talks to take over and are lining up the ex-England international as their main presenter.
Formula E fans on social media didn't seem too thrilled with the news. Taking to X, one furious user wrote: "Listening to Jermaine Jenas commentate is like scratching your nails across a chalkboard. Why him?"
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"Formula E’s popularity was dwindling and putting Jermaine Jenas in front of it is an existential threat," another joked. A third quipped: "Can't wait for some iconic Jeans quotes this season: 'Well to overtake him… He had to get past him'."
Another fumed: "Good god. Who saw Jenas’ work as a football pundit and thought, 'Hey this guy can talk about a very technical sport'." One other commented: "How to kill coverage of an up-and-coming sport: Hire Jenas."
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During his playing career, Jenas, who won the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2003, played for Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa and QPR. He also earned 21 caps for England. He briefly hosted a Match of the Day spin-off show called MOTDX, though it was cancelled earlier this month.
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