The Repair Shop's Jay Blades to appear in court charged with rape
West Mercia Police previously said the 55-year-old, who fronted primetime BBC show The Repair Shop, will face a first hearing at Telford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Blades faces two allegations of rape but will not be expected to enter pleas during his first appearance.
'Jason Blades, 55, of Claverley in Shropshire, has been charged with two counts of rape,' a spokesperson for West Mercia Police previously confirmed in a statement sent to Metro.
He found fame on restoration programme The Repair Shop, which he started presenting in 2017.
Blades also appeared on Celebrity MasterChef, Celebrity Bake Off and Comic Relief, as well as presenting the BBC's Money For Nothing until 2020 and fronting a documentary about learning to read at the age of 51 in January 2022.
He stepped back from presenting the show in May 2024, soon after he split from his wife.
Blades' estranged wife, Lisa Marie Zbozen, shared on social media that their marriage was over after 18 months.
In her message, she said that she felt 'incredibly sad about the whole thing', adding: 'I don't think I've ever cried so much'.
It was then reported that while The Repair Shop was continuing to film, Blades was 'having a break' from the production.
'Jay has taken a step back and is having a break from filming The Repair Shop,' a source told The Sun.
'His uncle's death in March and the breakdown of his marriage means he has decided to take some time out.'
In October, Blades was charged with engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, with allegations coming from Zbozen.
Blades pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were alleged to have had 'a serious effect' on his partner.
Judge James Burbidge KC rejected an application for part of the proceedings to be heard in private, before adjourning the case with a possible trial date of May 6 next year. More Trending
The future of BBC TV programme The Repair Shop, which he has been a part of ever since its launch with series 14 currently airing, has been called into question.
An insider reportedly told The Sun: 'The Beeb won't feature any new shows in which he appears until it is clear how legal proceedings conclude.'
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The broadcaster previously confirmed to Metro that he is not currently filming the programme, and the BBC is currently not going to be scheduling any programmes in which he is featured, but content that already features Blades will remain on BBC iPlayer.
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