BBC ‘pulls hit Jay Blades’ show off air’ in schedule shakeup after Repair Shop presenter charged
THE BBC has pulled Jay Blades’ hit show after the Repair Shop presenter was charged, according to reports.
It is understood a repeat of David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed – co-hosted by Sir David Jason – will no longer be on the channel’s schedule this evening.
Blades appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates’ this morning charged with controlling and coercive behaviour against his estranged wife.
He was arrested on May 3, the same day his wife Lisa Zbozen made public her decision to end their 18-month marriage.
A spokeswoman for West Mercia Police said: “54-year-old Jason Blades of Claverley in Wolverhampton has been charged with controlling and coercive behaviour.”
Dad-of-three Blades was supported by two friends during the hearing.
He was bailed on the condition he does not contact Lisa directly or indirectly.
Blades will next appear at Worcester Crown Court on October 11.
The charge sheet states Blades allegedly “repeatedly or continuously engaged in behaviour which was controlling or coercive, namely physical and emotional abuse towards Lisa Zbozen”.
The offences allegedly took place between January 1, 2023, and April 9, 2024.
Following his arrest on May 3, Lisa, who works as a fitness instructor, told her online community they had split.
Blades and Lisa married in November 2022 in Barbados, a year after their engagement.
Photographs of their intimate beach-front ceremony were published in Hello! Magazine.
They said their vows in front of 15 guests and exchanged rings designed by Blades’ Repair Shop colleague Richard Talman.
Blades said after the wedding: “One word sums up the day: perfect.
“We had our closest family there, the weather held out and everything worked out so well.”
Speaking to Hello! he continued: “I think the thing that was most emotional for me was actually saying the vows.
“It was almost like I had tunnel vision and I could only see Lisa there.
“And honestly, that’s when it really hit me. I was like, ‘We’re really getting married now!’. That’s the only time I really got emotional.”
Prior to his marriage to Lisa, Blades was married to Jade, who is the mother of one of his three children.
The pair split in 2015 and he went on to have a four year relationship with Christine Goodman before meeting Lisa.
Following his arrest, Blades took a break from filming The Repair Shop.
He also cancelled public appearances, including a speaking event at the Hay Festival.
He has been the host of the popular BBC series since 2017 and was appointed an MBE in the 2021 birthday honours for his services to craft.
Blades returned to filming on June 4 and was seen on set with members of the show’s cast and crew.
The show, which is watched by millions, had a special episode featuring King Charles in October 2022, before his accession to the throne.
Blades was seen helping to restore an 18th century clock which was made for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
He was last seen on screen last month when he appeared alongside Dame Judi Dench in a Channel 4 show, Dame Judi And Jay: The Odd Couple.
The one-off show saw them speaking to each other about the life experiences that shaped them.
The BBC said it would “not be appropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings”.