BBC takes drastic action over Jay Blades after Repair Shop star charged
The BBC has pulled a hit Jay Blades show OFF the air in a schedule shakeup after the presenter was charged. The BBC presenter split from wife Lisa Zbozen after 18 months of marriage and has appeared in court on Friday (September 13).
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. Former Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special star Blades has been charged with coercive and controlling behaviour.
He is accused of emotional and physical abuse against wife Lisa. Dad-of-three Blades was supported by two friends during the hearing. 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".
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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.”
Blades has become a well-known figure thanks to the BBC restoration programme The Repair Shop, in which members of the public take damaged but treasured family heirlooms to be restored by a team of experts. A source at the broadcaster said Blades was not a BBC employee and the charge was unrelated to his work at the BBC.
Blades’ rise from furniture maker to TV celebrity has been meteoric since he first featured on the show in 2017. In August Channel 4 broadcast Dame Judi and Jay: The Odd Couple, which charts the friendship between Blades and Dench, who he first met on The Repair Shop two years ago.