Jay Blades: The Repair Shop host charged over coercive behaviour
Jay Blades rose to prominence in 2017 when the television show The Repair Shop debuted.
Jay Blades, the presenter of the BBC show The Repair Shop, is facing allegations of exhibiting controlling and coercive behavior towards his estranged wife.
The individual giving the presentation is facing a single charge and was present at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on Friday.
West Mercia Police announced that they began an investigation following a call made on May 3rd.
That was the day following Mr. Blades' wife, Lisa Zbozen, sharing a post on Instagram announcing that their marriage had come to an end after a year and a half.
In an announcement, the police stated: "Jason Blades, a 54-year-old resident of Claverley, Wolverhampton, has been charged with controlling and coercive behavior."
He showed up at Kidderminster Magistrates Court this morning (Friday, September 13) and has been released on bail to return to Worcester Crown Court on Friday, October 11.
Mr. Blades gained widespread recognition on British television following the debut of The Repair Shop in 2017. On this show, members of the public would bring in their beloved items and family heirlooms for restoration.
It started off airing during the day before being shifted to primetime once it gained popularity.
The program received a National Television Award in 2023 and also bagged a Bafta that same year for its royal special episode, where the future King brought a clock and a vase to the workshop.
Mr. Blades recently appeared on The Repair Shop last Wednesday.
He has also served as the host for shows like Money for Nothing, Jay Blades' Home Fix, and Jay and Dom's Home Fix. In 2022, he presented a documentary that explored the journey of learning to read at the age of 51.
In 2021, he received an MBE as a mark of distinction.
In early May, the shooting for the new season of The Repair Shop started without him. He mentioned that he was stepping away to "reflect" after the reported killing of his uncle.
After reports of Mr. Blades' court appearance surfaced, the BBC decided to remove a rerun of David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed—featuring Mr. Blades alongside actor David Jason—from the schedule for this Friday's BBC One.
It has been substituted with a rerun of Garden Rescue.
A representative from the BBC stated, "It wouldn't be suitable to discuss legal matters that are currently in progress."
The university announced that he has stepped down as chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University effective immediately.
