JERMAINE JENAS has admitted that he would have been willing to be "unhappy for the rest of his life" in order to stay with wife Ellie Penfold.
Ellie announced her split with former Tottenham and England star Jenas in March.
Jermaine Jenas and wife Ellie split up in March
Their break-up came six months after Jenas was axed by the BBC following a sexting scandal.
The 42-year-old was relieved of his services by the Beeb after being accused of sending X-rated texts to two female colleagues.
Jenas, who has four children with Ellie, went on to admit to sending the messages, but stressed that the texts were consensual and that he had not broken the law.
The former One Show host told The Sun that Ellie was "raging" following the allegations - but that he hoped to work through their issues.
In March, however, Ellie took to Instagram to reveal that their marriage was over after 14 years.
Jenas, who returned to punditry work with talkSPORT in February, has now opened up on his marriage ending during an appearance on the Filthy Fellas podcast.
Speaking candidly about his break-up, Jenas said: "It was her decision and one that I had to accept.
"If it was up to me - and I think a lot of men are like this - I'd probably be prepared to be unhappy for the rest of my life if [it meant] I had my kids in it. If I have my kids, I'm quite happy to sacrifice."
Jenas then went on to add: "It's a man thing. Relationships are what they are - they have highs, they have lows and people cheat - some people do, some people don't, but you figure a lot of things out.
"The reality is we both were in a position where we were like 'are we really happy?'
"From her side of things, she'd ran the course more than probably me. But I was much more happy to go 'I'll be unhappy if I can stay in this house with you and these kids'.
"It wasn't to be for her, so we went our separate ways and that is that."
Speaking frankly about the situation, Jenas said of why he and Ellie broke up: "The reality is, me and my wife haven't split up because I sent some text messages to some people at work.
"We had issues for a period of time, it all comes to a head and you eventually make a decision to say, as adults, we will be better parents for our children if we just remain friends and that's it.
'DRAGGED ME OUT THE GUTTER'
"We had 16 amazing years together, me and my wife, how many people last that long? Sixteen years. Ups and downs. She caught the wrong end of my [playing] career, bless her.
"She was the one that dragged me out of the gutter when my knee was hanging off, career done. She's the one that picked me back up and gave me the belief and the strength to go 'get yourself back out there, I believe in you'."
Upon his return to talkSPORT in February, Jenas vowed to learn from his mistakes.
'WORK ON YOURSELF'
The former Match of the Day pundit said: "The biggest thing in this whole situation is about taking responsibility and that has been at the forefront of my mind…
"There's a reason why you're in this position and there's a reason why this has happened.
"Once you accept those things, then you can work on yourself and you can work on the other things and you can work on your family and work towards a brighter future.”
Confirming their split a month later, Ellie 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.
"We kindly ask that you respect our children's privacy during this challenging time. Thank you, Ellie."
Renowned Formula One figure Flavio Briatore has been seen with two women several years his junior having split from his former partner 45 years younger than him. Briatore, 75, was spotted aboard a yacht in the south of France last week with his 15-year-old son also in tow as they soaked up the summer sun. The Italian, who has recently made a return to F1, was seen conversing in a pair of red swimm...
The world's sexiest volleyball star has amassed an enormous following on social media with her glamorous photos.Kayla Simmons has shown off her sideboob in a new Instagram postShe posed for a series of snaps while enjoying the sunShe was zoned out with her Beats headphonesShe also read a historical fiction bookKayla, 29, often wows her fans with raunchy pictures on Instagram as she travels the wor...
No doubt Spurs fans will be thinking that if their new playmaker, arriving from RB Leipzig for £52million, can have half as good an impact as Modric, who sparkled for four years before leaving for Real Madrid in 2012, then they will have landed a diamond.Tottenham landed Xavi Simons in a £52m transferSimons is good pals with NeymarSimons came through the famous La Masia Barcelona academy...
GRIMSBY TOWN shocked the world on the pitch against Manchester United but their players have been scoring off it too.The League Two side knocked the Red Devils out of the Carabao Cup on penalties on Wednesday evening.Charliese Leone is dating Grimsby captain Evan KhouriThey recently celebrated their two-year anniversaryThey first spoke to each other via DMsCharliese is a graphic designer and a cre...
Stunning TV presenter Diletta Leotta has landed a new role and has promised to be ‘pleasant to look at’ after defending her daring choice of outfit at her daughter’s birthday partyDiletta Leotta has landed a new jobStunning TV presenter Diletta Leotta has landed a new role on the Italian version of Match of the Day.Diletta has become a fan favourite on the screen having worked fo...
The current Inter Miami player was blunt with his words: "It's going to be special," he saidLionel Messi in a match with Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.Lionel Messi's performance with Inter Miami in the most recent Leagues Cup match (two goals to come from behind) was overshadowed by news unrelated to MLS. The Argentine talisman announced at the end of the match that the game with his national te...
The Canadian golfer is a former beauty pageant queen before she switched careers.Sara Michelle Winter turned heads at a golf tournament recentlyShe left fans amazed with her choice of outfitAnd Winter, 28, is still turning heads on golf courses, even when she's not playing.The social media star is fast emerging as a rival for Instagram golf queen Paige Spiranac.Winter has more than 500,000 followe...
Imagine soaking up the Mediterranean sunshine next to your very own infinity pool and relaxing in the onboard 'beach club' before being treated to a feast prepared by your private chef.Tottenham owner Joe Lewis owns a giant yacht that operates as his "mobile office"Zlatan Ibrahimovic knows how to show off his 34-metre superyachtRonaldo's yacht boasts five bedroomsOr picture yourself trying to work...
Injured Carroll is in Ibiza with girlfriend Lou Teasdale trying to repair their troubled relationship.Footballer Andy Carroll has defied his manager's warnings over his recent romance drama with Lou TeasdaleInjured Carroll is in Ibiza with girlfriend Lou Teasdale trying to repair their troubled relationshipBut it comes just weeks after Carroll, 36, was hauled in for a dressing-down by Dagenham &am...
Pep Guardiola's stunning daughter, Maria, asked the Manchester City boss to make a change over the summer she deemed as "awful"Maria Guardiola asked her dad to change one thingPep Guardiola admitted he had to make a change over the summer after his daughter branded it "awful".Guardiola is looking to turn around the fortunes of Manchester City after a below par season from him and his lofty standar...
