BBC star, Jay Blades, has pleaded not guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour against his estranged wife Lisa Zbozen at Worcester Crown Court today.
Blades, 54, arrived in a black suit and the court briefly heard an application for part of the proceedings to be held in private which Judge James Burbidge KC rejected.
The judge went on to say: “You have denied responsibility for the crime alleged against you and the prosecution propose to trial you.”
Court documents explain Mr Blades allegedly “engaged in behaviour” towards Lisa Marie Zbozen that caused her to “fear, on at least two occasions, that violence will be used against her.”
Blades’ fitness instructor partner announced she had left him on 2nd May and West Mercia Police began an investigation the next day after officers “were called to an address” and the presenter was arrested.
The offences allegedly occurred between 1st January 2023 and 12th September 2024 with the charge stating the alleged behaviour “had a serious effect” on his estranged wife, and that “he knew, or ought to have known, that the behaviour would have a serious effect on her.”
Since the charges were brought against the presenter, he has been dropped from multiple programmes he was scheduled to present on the BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Blades became one of the most notable faces on British TV with show ‘The Repair Shop’ where people would bring their much-loved items to be restored.
In 2023, the show secured a National Television Award and later a BAFTA for an episode in which King Charles III brought a clock and vase to be repaired.
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Jason Blades was brought up by his mother on a council estate in Hackney, and only learnt to read at 51, after leaving school with no qualifications.
He was honoured with an MBE in 2021 for services to craft, and married Lisa Zbozen in November 2022 in Barbados.
A trial date has been set for 6th May next year at Worcester Crown Court with Mr Blades remaining on conditional bail.
