Jay Blades: The Repair Shop presenter charged with engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour against wife

The Repair Shop presenter Jay Blades has been charged with engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, West Mercia Police said.

The charges relate to his alleged treatment of his estranged wife Lisa Zbozen, including allegations of physical and emotional abuse.

Zbozen announced on her Instagram page in May that the couple’s relationship was over.

The couple married in the grounds of a beachfront villa in Barbados on November 22 2022.

The BBC star, 54, appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court earlier on Friday.

He was charged with one count of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship and bailed to appear at Worcester Crown Court on Friday October 11.

The indictment against Blades revealed the charges related to a period between January 1, 2023 – just 40 days after their wedding - and September 12 this year.

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".

West Mercia Police said it launched an investigation after being called on 3 May.

Furniture restorer Blades, who was made an MBE for services to craft in 2022, found fame on The Repair Shop, the restoration programme he has presented since 2017, which sees members of the public take worn-out family heirlooms to be restored by a team of experts.

Blades is currently starring in series 13 of the show.

In May, a spokesperson for the star said he was “continuing to take some time out” following the death of his uncle and his recent marriage split.

Announcing the charges on Friday, West Mercia Police said: "54-year-old Jason Blades of Claverley in Wolverhampton has been charged with controlling and coercive behaviour.

"He appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates Court this morning (Friday 13th September) and has been bailed to appear at Worcester Crown Court on Friday 11th October."

In 2022 a special one-off episode to mark the BBC's centenary saw Blades and the repair team visit the King, when he was still the Prince of Wales, at Dumfries House in Scotland.

During The Repair Shop: A Royal Visit, a bracket clock and a piece made for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee by British ceramics maker Wemyss Ware were both fixed – and the broadcast later won a daytime Bafta TV award.

Blades was made an MBE for his work in promoting heritage craft and restoration in the UK in May 2022.

Following the news, the BBC has dropped a repeat of an episode of David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed, in which Mr Blades appears with actor David Jason, from Friday's BBC One schedule.

A BBC spokesperson said: "It would not be appropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings."

On Friday, Zbozen shared an article on Jay being charged on social media.

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