Future of Jay Blades exhibits revealed amid coercive behaviour courtroom case

The futures of Jay Blades‘ TV shows has been revealed in light of his coercive control court case.

Presenter Jay, 54, was charged last week with the physical and emotional abuse of his wife, Lisa Zbozen over a 20 month period.

And now in the wake of the charges, broadcasters have began to drop shows featuring Jay from their schedules, while future programmes starring him have been scrapped. 

Jay is best known for fronting the hugely popular The Repair Shop, having been at the helm of the BBC show – which sees guests bring in treasured items to be transformed- for seven years.

However, it’s said that formerly popular star has been axed from the upcoming Christmas special of the restoration programme, with show makers already considering replacements.

According to The Sun, creators Ricochet are eyeing up The Repair Shop’s furniture restorer Will Kirk and craftsman Dominic Chinea as potential replacements for Jay.

It’s also reported that Channel 4 have confirmed that his travel series with Dame Judi Dench, The Odd Couple, will not be getting a sequel in light of the allegations.

While Channel 5 have allegedly axed plans for an upcoming documentary Jay was filming called A Country House Through Time.

The show was the latest in a string of new factual programmes the presenter was set to host,  and will have seen presenter explore a series of stately homes.

In the four-part series, sees the steps of the Bridgeman family and their servants retraced, starting from the Georgian era, through the Victorian and Edwardian times, and up to the 20th Century.

A source told the publication: ‘Everything is up in the air following Blades getting charged, but TV chiefs didn’t want to be seen to act slowly.

‘Until court proceedings have run their course, everything is getting put on hold, and alternative plans are being considered. 

‘But The Repair Shop is likely to continue as it’s hugely popular and the feeling is that the show is bigger than any individual.’

MailOnline have contacted representatives of Jay, BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5 for comment. 

Just days ago, BBC dropped a major hint about the future of The Repair Shop after the show was pulled off air following Jay’s court case.

Following the court proceedings, episodes of the popular series featuring Jay were removed from TV schedules by Beeb bosses.

His future on the show now appears unclear, as The Sun claimed the corporation will not ‘feature any new shows’ starring the host.

An insider told the publication: ‘The Beeb won’t feature any new shows in which he appears until it is clear how legal ­proceedings conclude.’

But despite some episodes not being aired, bosses have hinted that the show will go on, with or without its star host.

Despite ongoing proceedings, the BBC has opened casting for the next run and invited the public to apply.

The application states: ‘Our award-winning series The Repair Shop is returning to BBC ONE. Our team of Britain’s most passionate and skilled craftspeople will rescue broken objects and restore them to their former glory.

‘If you have a damaged heirloom, a prized antique, a loved one’s treasured possession or anything else that needs restoring, apply now by completing and submitting the following application form.

It comes after another of Jay’s shows was pulled from air as last week, Channel 5 appeared to have removed his programme Jay Blades: The West End Through Time from their streaming service.

The two-part series followed Jay as he explored the origins of the West End and delved into the capital’s past by speaking with historians and local cabbies to engage in the area’s evolution.

While last week, BBC dropped a repeat from the schedule of David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed, in which Blades appears with actor Sir David Jason.

The episode had been due to air on BBC One at 8pm on September 13, but was swiftly replaced by a ‘shortened version’ of Charlie Dimmock’s show Garden Rescue.

Jay appeared before Kidderminster magistrates on Friday charged with ‘controlling and coercive behaviour’ over 20 months.

The single charge relates to his fitness instructor wife, Lisa, 43, who announced on Instagram on May 2 that she had walked out of the marriage.

The following day, West Mercia Police began an investigation after officers were ‘called to an address’ and Jay was arrested.

Court documents allege that he ‘repeatedly or continuously engaged in behaviour which was controlling or coercive, namely physical and emotional abuse, towards Lisa Zbozen’.

The alleged behaviour towards his wife ‘had a serious effect on her’ and Jay ‘knew, or ought to have known, that the behaviour would have a serious effect on her’, according to the charge.

The offences allegedly occurred between January 1, 2023, and April 9, 2024.

The couple married in November 2022 in Barbados, but in May, Lisa announced that she had walked out on him in an Instagram post where she said she was ‘very broken’.

After being charged with the coercive control of his wife, Jay resigned as an ambassador for the King’s Foundation.

The furniture restorer, along with other members of the BBC programme, won a daytime Bafta TV award last year for a special featuring the King, who was then the Prince of Wales.

An episode of Jay’s show with actor Sir David Jason – David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed – was axed from BBC1’s Friday night schedule following news of his court appearance.

Jay has also since resigned as a chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, where he studied criminology and philosophy.

He is due to appear at Worcester Crown Court next month to enter a plea.