Axed TV host Jay Blades was weeks away from starring on new reality series before domestic violence arrest
The Repair Shop presenter, 55, was preparing to star in ITV's Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters, which starts tonight.
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But the show was thrown into chaos after allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour against his wife Lisa Zbozen, which he denies.
A TV insider told The Sun: 'Attracting a popular BBC star to be in the new ITV series was a big win for bosses.
'But as soon as Jay Blades was arrested in March 2024, they knew they had to make a quick decision about the future of the show.
'He was given the boot.
'Producers got lucky as they hadn't started filming or doing any promotion yet so were able to replace him with someone else.
'There were travel plans in place for the cast taking part in the show so it caused a lot of upset and disruption behind the scenes.'
Blades is accused of causing Lisa, 43, to fear violence would be used against her on at least two occasions.
The trial begins on August 26.
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