BBC's Jay Blades charged with engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour

BBC TV host Jay Blades has been charged with engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and appeared in court earlier today, according to West Mercia Police. A spokesman for the force said the 54-year-old appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning and was bailed to appear at Worcester Crown Court on Friday, October 11.

Blades, who was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours, for services to craft, is best known for his work on the BBC series The Repair Shop. He is set to front an upcoming Channel 5 series titled Jay Blades: A Country House Through Time.

Blades grew up with a lack of disposable income during his early years, which led to his passion for restoring and replacing furniture, according to the Mirror. Blades reflected on his challenging past, including homelessness, in his appearance on Channel 5's There's No Place Like Home, admitting: "At 21 I was all over the place," before recalling how he left London to escape fights and threats.

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"My mum moved to Luton and I lived up there with her for a bit. I had my first child, and then split up with the missus and moved back to London, then I ended up homeless and went into a hostel. I had a supermarket carrier bag with all of my stuff in there and it wasn't a lot."