The TV star revealed recently that his uncle was ‘murdered’ (Picture: BBC/Richochet Ltd)
Jay Blades is said to be ‘taking a step back’ from The Repair Shop following the announcement that one of his relatives has died and the news of his marriage breakdown.
Last month, the furniture restorer, who found nationwide fame after appearing on the BBC series, revealed in a video posted on his Instagram that he had just been to his uncle’s funeral, who was ‘murdered a few weeks ago’.
The 54-year-old said that he felt ‘a little bit messed up’ after his loss, adding that he would be away from social media ‘for a bit’.
A couple of days later, Blades’ wife, Lisa Marie Zbozen, shared on social media that their marriage was over after 18 months.
In her message, she said that she felt ‘incredibly sad about the whole thing’, adding: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much’.
She continued: ‘I will admit I’m crying as I type this as I can’t believe this is even real.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
The former couple were married in 2022 (Picture: David Fisher/Rex/Shutterstock for NTA)
‘I hope you don’t mind if I just have a few days trying to figure out my life as I’m currently in a spare room with a few essentials. I don’t know what else to say.’
It’s now been reported that while The Repair Shop is continuing to film, Blades is ‘having a break’ from the production.
‘Jay has taken a step back and is having a break from filming The Repair Shop,’ a source told The Sun.
‘His uncle’s death in March and the breakdown of his marriage means he has decided to take some time out.’
Blades was joined by King Charles III on a special episode of The Repair Shop to mark the BBC’s centenary (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire)
The source claimed that theBBC series is ‘carrying on without him for now and the other repairers are hard at work’.
The insider stated that Blades’ colleagues were ‘shocked’ to find out about the end of his marriage, as it was ‘not well known at all among the people who work on the show’.
Blades has been on The Repair Shop ever since it launched in 2017.
He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the late Queen Elizabeth II’s 2021 Birthday Honours, and the following year he took part in a special episode of the show with King Charles III, who was Prince Charles when the programme was filmed.
Metro.co.uk has contacted the BBC and representatives of Jay Blades for comment.
The Repair Shop is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.