Jay Blades, the presenter of The Repair Shop, has been charged with controlling and coercive behavior towards his estranged wife, Lisa Zbozen. The allegations, outlined in court documents, include both physical and emotional abuse. Blades, who is 54 years old, appeared in Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court and was granted bail, with a follow-up court appearance scheduled for next month.
The couple had married in November 2022 in Barbados, but Zbozen left their home in May 2023, following a distressing social media post in which she expressed feeling “broken.” The day after her post, West Mercia Police launched an investigation that led to Blades’ charges.
Blades is widely known as the face of The Repair Shop, a popular BBC program where sentimental items are restored. Since its debut in 2017, the show has become a hit, with its 14th season expected to air later this year.
Beyond The Repair Shop, Blades has appeared in other television programs, including Britain’s Best Beach Huts and David and Jay’s Touring Tool Shed, co-hosted with Sir David Jason.
However, following the charges against him, the BBC has decided to pull a repeat airing of David and Jay’s Touring Tool Shed from its schedule and will not feature any other shows with Blades for the time being.
Blades’ personal background is marked by adversity, as he was raised by his mother on a council estate in Hackney, East London. According to his official biography, he left school without qualifications but later studied criminology.
He eventually discovered his passion for furniture restoration and helping vulnerable people. This journey into restoration has been a central theme in both his professional career and personal mission to uplift those in need.
In late April, Blades took a break from social media, citing personal turmoil following the murder of his uncle. He also announced that he would be seeking therapy to cope with the emotional challenges he was facing.
However, he returned to Instagram in June to pay tribute to his grandmother and aunt, both of whom were part of the Windrush generation. His emotional posts marked a rare public appearance during what has been a tumultuous year for the TV presenter.
The BBC’s decision to temporarily remove Blades’ shows from its lineup comes in response to the ongoing legal case, which has drawn significant attention given Blades’ high-profile position on the network.
