Jay Blades was seen leaving court on September 13 (Picture: Click News and Media)
BBC presenter Jay Blades was seen looking downcast as he left court following charges that he allegedly engaged in controlling and coercive behaviour against his estranged wife, Lisa Marie Zbozen.
The Repair Shop host, 54, appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning with one count of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship.
Blades was clearly trying to keep a low profile as he exited the court, wearing a hood and a puffer jacket as he quickly made his way to a car.
The presenter looked stressed and downcast, a far cry from his sunny demeanor fans are used to seeing on TV.
Blades was bailed and is now set to appear at Worcester Crown Court on Friday, October 11 to address the allegations of physical and emotional abuse.
West Mercia Police said it launched an investigation into the allegations after being called on May 3.
The presenter has been accused of controlling and coercive behaviour by his estranged wife (Credits: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)
Blades was seen attempting to hide his face beneath a hood as he exited the court (Credits: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)
He wore a low-profile outfit (Credits: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)
Many were shocked to hear of the allegations against Blades (Credits: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA
The presenter hurried to his car (Credits: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)
The pair separated earlier this year, with Zbozen, 43, taking to Instagram to share news of their split 18 months after their marriage ceremony.
She also uploaded a poem shortly after which referenced ‘treating yourself kindly’ in hard times, leading some to wonder if she was referencing the end of her marriage.
Meanwhile, Blades took a step back from Repair Shop amidst the dissolution of his marriage.
Blades and Zbozen married in Barbados in November of 2022.
At the time, Blades told Hello magazine: ‘We had our closest family there, the weather held out and everything worked out so well.’
‘Once you get to a certain age, you realise what’s actually important on the day – and that is having the people around you that love you for who you are. So we made the day our day,’ Lisa added.
Blades and his first wife – from whom he split in 2015 – share a 17-year-old daughter.
Lisa Marie Zbozen and Blades split after just 18 months of marriage (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)
News of the allegations against Blades have left fans in shock.
X user @amandakhurley wrote: ‘Sad about the Jay Blades news. The Repair Shop is a pure, lovely show. It got me through the pandemic.’
User @a_Troglodist agreed: ‘I’m equal parts horrified and sad at this news. It is still a lovely programme, we mustn’t let one bad apple spoil the rest.’
@GinDeeDee posted: ‘I was shocked when I heard the news about Jay Blades.’
@drnateheywood wrote: ‘Jay Blades? Man, that’s disappointing.’
A BBC spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘It would not be appropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.’
As the case continues to unfold, its difficult to predict what the future of Blades’ career will look like.
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