Jay Blades, the presenter of The Repair Shop, has resigned from his role at the King’s Foundation following charges of controlling or coercive behavior towards his wife.
Blades, 54, had previously been a prominent ambassador for the foundation, formerly known as the Prince’s Foundation, and had participated in special projects with the King, including a BBC episode titled The Repair Shop: A Royal Visit.
His resignation was confirmed by the foundation on Sunday after news of the charges became public. Blades, a well-known furniture restorer, had received an MBE in 2022 for his services to craft and was widely recognized as the face of the popular BBC program, where he helped restore treasured objects for viewers.
Blades’ legal troubles began when he was charged by West Mercia Police with controlling or coercive behavior in an intimate or family relationship.
The charge is connected to his relationship with his fitness instructor wife, Lisa Zbozen, who publicly announced the end of their marriage on her Instagram page on May 2.
The couple had been married since November 2022. Police were alerted to the situation the day after Zbozen’s announcement, leading to an investigation.
Blades made his first court appearance at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, and he is set to appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Worcester Crown Court on October 11.
The legal charges against Blades have already begun to impact his professional career. On the same day as his court appearance, the BBC pulled a scheduled repeat of another show he fronts, David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed, which he co-hosted with actor David Jason.
It is understood that the BBC will not be airing any shows featuring Blades for the foreseeable future, marking a significant shift in his visibility on television. Blades has also stepped down from his position as chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University in light of the ongoing legal case.
Despite the controversy, The Repair Shop continues to move forward. The show, which has earned Blades widespread popularity, is set to return for its 14th series later this year.
However, it is unclear what role, if any, Blades will play in future episodes as the legal process unfolds. The program has been a staple of BBC’s daytime television, where Blades’ expertise in furniture restoration and his charismatic personality made him a favorite among viewers.
Blades’ resignation from both the King’s Foundation and Buckinghamshire New University marks a turning point in what has been a celebrated career.
His connection to the royal family, bolstered by his BAFTA-winning appearance alongside the King, had added a significant chapter to his career in recent years.
Now, as he faces serious legal challenges, his future both on-screen and in his public roles remains uncertain. The upcoming court case will determine the next steps in both his personal and professional life.
