Jay Blades: BBC presenter denies coercive behaviour towards wife

BBC presenter Jay Blades has denied engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour towards his wife.

The 54-year-old, who fronts primetime show The Repair Shop, entered a not guilty plea at Worcester Crown Court on Friday.

Wearing a dark suit and tie, Blades, of Claverley in Shropshire, spoke only to confirm his identity to the court clerk and to enter his plea.

The charge alleges the controlling and coercive behaviour took place between 1 January 2023 and 12 September this year.

It alleges his behaviour had a "serious effect" on his partner Lisa-Marie Zbozen, "namely that it caused her to fear on at least two occasions that violence would be used against her".

Ms Zbozen announced in an Instagram post on 2 May that the pair's relationship was over.

Blades appeared before the Recorder of Worcester, Judge James Burbidge KC, who rejected an application for part of the proceedings to be heard in private.

A "short-form" copy of the indictment was read to Blades before he entered his plea.

A more detailed version of the charge he faces was not read out during the 12-minute hearing.

The judge told Blades: "You are aware of the allegations against you because you have a particularised indictment.

"The jury will hear it and the public will then hear the allegations during the prosecution opening, with all those particulars then read out."

The judge removed a bail condition that Blades should be subject to an electronic tag, which had not yet been fitted due to "failings" by the company responsible.

He told the presenter: "You have denied responsibility for the crime alleged against you, and the prosecution proposes to try you.

"I remove the tagging of your exclusion zone, but you are still subject to the exclusion zone."

The judge adjourned the case, with a possible trial date of 6 May next year.

Blades left the court without comment.

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The Repair Shop first aired in 2017 and its 14th series is due later this year.

Blades - a furniture restorer - is the face of the popular BBC show, which features people having treasured objects repaired and rejuvenated.

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