The BBC has made a significant decision to pull an episode of the popular show “The Repair Shop” from its schedule and has also announced that it will not air any future episodes. This move is in response to host Jay Blades facing charges of coercive and controlling behaviour against his wife. Blades, a familiar face on the series, is in the midst of the 13th season of the show, which features the restoration of family heirlooms.
The BBC has confirmed that episodes of “The Repair Shop” featuring Jay Blades will not be broadcast while legal proceedings are ongoing. However, viewers can still access previous episodes of the show on iPlayer, with over 300 episodes available for watching. Blades, aged 54, recently appeared in court at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court following a charge by West Mercia Police of engaging in coercive or controlling behaviour in a family or intimate relationship.
The charge pertains to Blades’ wife, Lisa Zbozen, a fitness instructor who announced the end of their relationship on her Instagram page in May. West Mercia Police initiated an investigation after being called to an address the day after Zbozen’s announcement on May 3. The couple, who got married in Barbados in 2022, will continue legal proceedings as Blades is due to appear at Worcester Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on October 11.
Blades, recognised with an MBE for his contributions to crafts, rose to fame as the host of “The Repair Shop” since 2017. He was also known for presenting other TV shows like “Money For Nothing,” participating in celebrity cooking programmes, and exploring historical narratives in documentaries. In March 2023, he became the Chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University and received a daytime Bafta TV award for a special episode featuring The Repair Shop: A Royal Visit in May 2023.
Following these recent events, Jay Blades has resigned from his position as Chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University. The university expressed gratitude for his service but refrained from further comment on the matter. Despite the challenges faced by Blades, his impact on television and craftsmanship remains undeniable, and viewers will be keen to see how this situation unfolds in the coming months.
The BBC’s decision to remove “The Repair Shop” episodes involving Jay Blades reflects the seriousness of the allegations against him and underlines the broadcaster’s commitment to upholding ethical standards in its programming. As the legal proceedings continue, fans of the show will have to wait and see what the future holds for both the series and its host.