The BBC is urgently pulling all episodes of its hit show The Repair Shop featuring Jay Blades, after the presenter was charged with alleged domestic abuse offences Friday.
Viewers expecting to tune in Friday evening for an episode of another crafting show featuring Blades saw a change in the TV schedule, following Blades’ appearance in court yesterday to face the charges.
Blades is not set to appear in next week’s episode of The Repair Shop, but the show is midway through its 13th series and The Times reports that the broadcaster is now making urgent plans to to avoid broadcasting episodes in which Blades appears.
The primetime restoration show draws a weekly audience of approximately 2.5million viewers, and there are 300 episodes available on the BBC’s catch-up service iPlayer. These will remain in place with Blades being featured, according to The Times.
Blades has become a household name since appearing in the show, which sees members of the public bring in beloved family items to be fixed by workshop expert craftspeople. King Charles is known to be a fan of the show, and appeared in a special episode in 2021, and Blades recently appeared alongside Dame Judi Dench in a TV special called Dame Judi and Jay: The Odd Couple.
This is the latest headache for the BBC, following its abrupt sacking of The One Show presenter Jermaine Jenas, and dropping archive material featuring Huw Edwards, shamed former BBC news presenter, who helmed Coronation coverage and delivered the confirmation of the Queen’s death in 2022. One BBC producer told Deadline yesterday, “At this rate there’ll be nothing left to show!”
Blades Drops Phone While Driving Charge
Jay Blades, known for restoring treasured items on the BBC’s “The Repair Shop,” has had a charge of driving while using his phone dismissed. The 54-year-old TV presenter appeared in a two-minute hearing at Cannock Magistrates’ Court, where the charge was dropped due to the unavailability of the police officer who was to give evidence.
Blades, from Claverley, Shropshire, had pleaded not guilty to the offence, which was alleged to have been committed in Wombourne, Staffordshire, on 2 April.
The charge, however, is only one in a series of controversies surrounding Blades. He is also facing a charge of controlling and coercive behaviour against his estranged wife Lisa Zbozen, which is a more serious matter.
Blades Faces Domestic Abuse Charges
The accusations against Blades stem from a police investigation launched on 3 May, following an Instagram post by Ms Zbozen revealing the end of their 18-month marriage.
Blades appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, September 13, in relation to this charge. Following the hearing, he was bailed and is due to appear at Worcester Crown Court on 11 October.
The charges have led to a wave of repercussions for Blades’ career. The BBC has pulled all episodes of The Repair Shop featuring Blades, and he has resigned as chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University.
A Fall From Grace
The charges against Blades mark a dramatic fall from grace for the popular TV presenter. He became a household name following the launch of The Repair Shop in 2017, and his warmth and sincerity endeared him to viewers.
The show, which won a National Television Award in 2023 and a Bafta for its royal special, has become a staple of BBC programming. Blades has also hosted other shows, including Money for Nothing, Jay Blades’ Home Fix and Jay and Dom’s Home Fix, as well as a 2022 documentary about learning to read at the age of 51.
In 2021, he was appointed an MBE for his services to craft.
The charges against Blades will undoubtedly cast a shadow over his career. While he awaits trial, he faces the possibility of losing his position as a beloved TV personality. The public’s reaction to the allegations will be crucial in shaping his future.
