has long been a familiar face on British television, best known for bringing warmth and expertise to From humble beginnings on a Hackney council estate to becoming one of the BBC's most beloved presenters, his journey to success was anything but conventional.

But now, the furniture restorer finds himself at the centre of controversy. Once celebrated for his inspiring rise from homelessness to television stardom, Blades' career has taken a dramatic nosedive following serious allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour towards his estranged wife, Lisa-Marie Zbozen.

As the legal battle looms, the embattled TV presenter's future remains uncertain. From his meteoric rise to his shocking downfall, we take a closer look at the man who went from a TV favourite to a figure shrouded in scandal.

Rise to Fame

Born and raised on a Hackney council estate, Jay Blades' journey to TV stardom was anything but easy. Growing up with his mother and half-brother, he learned the art of fixing things out of necessity, as money was always tight.

Little did he know, those early DIY skills would shape his future career.

But life took a harsh turn in his twenties when Jay found himself homeless, with nothing but a supermarket carrier bag of belongings and no direction. Determined to rebuild his life, he made a bold move at 31-enrolling in university to study criminology. During this time, he set up Out of the Dark, a charity helping disadvantaged young people learn furniture restoration.

The initiative thrived for 15 years before losing funding, and Jay also faced heartbreak when his first marriage collapsed.

Despite the setbacks, his resilience would soon pave the way for an incredible career turnaround. He launched Jay & Co., a furniture restoration business, which ultimately led to his big break on television.

His TV career began in 2014 when he appeared on Kirstie Allsopp's Handmade Christmas, followed by a co-hosting role on Money For Nothing alongside Sarah Moore. In 2017, he landed the presenting job on The Repair Shop, which became a BBC hit and is now in its 12th series. His success led to the creation of his own spin-off, Jays Yorkshire Workshop, in 2021.

Beyond restoration, Jay has embraced the world of entertainment, making guest appearances on Celebrity MasterChef, Michael McIntyre's The Wheel, and Would I Lie to You.

Allegations

In a dramatic twist, the charismatic host was charged with one count of controlling and coercive behaviour towards his estranged wife, Lisa-Marie Zbozen. The presenter, who turns 55 February 21, appeared in court last year.

Blades, who had become a household name since The Repair Shop debuted in 2017, entered a not guilty plea during a subsequent hearing at Worcester Crown Court on 11 October 2024.

Dressed in a dark suit and tie, he spoke only to confirm his identity and deny the charge. Judge James Burbidge KC, presiding over the case, rejected an application for part of the proceedings to be heard in private, emphasising the importance of transparency. The trial is scheduled for May 2025.

Charity Resignation

The rags to riches star celebrated for his craftsmanship, was honoured with the Member of the Order of the British Empire MBE in 2022. That same year, he notably welcomed King Charles during a special episode of The Repair Shop. His royal connections extended back to 2020 when he proudly accepted the role of building crafts ambassador for the Kings charity.

Blades gushed over the honour, stating: "I am honoured to be invited to be an ambassador for The Princes Foundation. HRH The Prince of Waless vision of creating harmonious sustainable communities is a passion very close to my heart. Championing a sustainable approach to how we live our lives, build our homes and teach traditional arts and crafts are fundamental in all aspects of my philosophy."

However, his journey with the royal charity concluded after four years, following his resignation prompting the organization to confirm his departure: "Jay Blades has informed us of his resignation from the ambassador role."

Additionally, Blades stepped down from significant positions at Heritage Crafts and the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust QEST, both of which have King Charles as their patron. This marked a significant shift for Blades, who had been deeply involved in charity work connected to the royal family.

While Blades remains with the BBC, they did drop an episode of David & Jay's Touring Toolshed that featured Blades after he appeared in court on a driving charge.