Jay Blades, the well-known presenter of The Repair Shop, is dealing with a fresh legal dilemma shortly after being charged with controlling and coercive behavior towards his estranged wife.
Court Appearance for Controlling Behavior Charge
The 54-year-old Blades was in Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court last Friday, facing a charge related to engaging in controlling or coercive behavior.
This charge is tied to his estranged wife, Lisa Zbozen, a fitness instructor, who publicly announced their split on Instagram back in May.
Following her post, police launched an investigation after being called to a location the day after.
Blades is scheduled to appear at Worcester Crown Court on October 11 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Upcoming Court Date for Driving Offense
In addition to this, Blades is also set to appear at Cannock Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
He has pleaded not guilty to an alleged driving offense involving using his phone while driving in Wombourne, Staffordshire, last April.
Resignation from Charitable Roles
Blades has recently stepped down from his ambassador role with the King’s Foundation, which was formerly known as the Prince’s Foundation.
The charity confirmed that he has resigned, despite his previous involvement, including a visit to Dumfries House in Ayrshire for a special BBC program, The Repair Shop: A Royal Visit.
He has also resigned from his position as chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University.
Career Highlights and Recent Developments
Blades, who presents The Repair Shop, has been a familiar face on the BBC show, which features experts restoring valuable and sentimental items.
After leaving school at 15, he pursued a degree in criminology and philosophy at Buckinghamshire New University, graduating in 2005.
He later co-founded Out of the Dark, a charity that repurposes furniture and supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Blades gained widespread recognition with The Repair Shop, which has been on air since 2017.
In 2022, he and the team appeared in a special episode at Dumfries House to mark the BBC’s centenary, where they met then-Prince of Wales, Charles.
Impact on Upcoming Tour
Just hours before the news broke about Blades’ charge, the BBC had announced his participation in a new The Repair Shop live tour, set to begin in February 2025.
This tour, titled The Repair Shop – Secrets From The Barn, was scheduled to feature Blades and other show experts traveling across the UK, including cities like Newcastle, Birmingham, Sheffield, and Salford.
Tickets were priced around £40.
Wife’s Social Media Reaction
Lisa Zbozen, Blades’ estranged wife, shared her emotions on Instagram after their 18-month marriage ended.
In her post, she expressed deep sadness and reflected on the dissolution of their relationship, stating that she felt she was losing the best parts of her husband.
She later shared news of Blades’ legal troubles with her 158,000 Instagram followers, adding to the public scrutiny surrounding the case.