Jay Blades, the presenter of BBC's The Repair Shop, has been charged with two counts of rape, police have confirmed. The 55-year-old is scheduled to appear at Telford Magistrates' Court on 13 August 2025.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police stated: 'Jason Blades, 55, of Claverley in Shropshire, has been charged with two counts of rape.' The charges come after Blades was previously charged with controlling and coercive behaviour towards his estranged wife, Lisa Zbozen, last year.
Blades was arrested in May 2024, the same month Zbozen announced the end of their relationship on Instagram. He pleaded not guilty to the controlling and coercive behaviour charge at Worcester Crown Court in October 2024. The charge alleged that his behaviour had a 'serious effect' on his partner, causing her to fear violence on at least two occasions.
Blades, who received an MBE in 2021, is best known for hosting The Repair Shop since 2017. He also presented other shows including Jay Blades' Home Fix and Money for Nothing, and a 2022 BBC documentary about learning to read at age 51.
Following the announcement of the earlier charges, Blades stepped back from presenting The Repair Shop after seven years and resigned from his role as an ambassador for the King's Foundation. The BBC also began removing episodes featuring him from its schedules.
