Former Repair Shop host Jay Blades is due to appear at Worcester Crown Court today for a pre-trial review. The 55-year-old was charged with controlling and coercive behaviour against his estranged wife Lisa Zbozen in September 2024.

He denied those charges at a hearing on October 11 and is due to go on trial later this month. The charges relate to events between 1 January 2023 and 12 September 2024, with reports that Ms Zbozen “feared, on at least two occasions, that violence will be used against her”. The judge removed a bail condition that required Mr Blades to wear an electronic tag, which had not yet been fitted, due to “failings” by the company responsible. Speaking to Blades, the judge said: “You have denied responsibility for the crime alleged against you and the prosecution propose to try you. I remove the tagging of your exclusion zone but you are still subject to the exclusion zone.” After the 12-minute hearing, Mr Blades left the court without comment.

Blades became one of the best-known faces on British TV after The Repair Shop launched in 2017, with members of the public bringing their treasured possessions and heirlooms to be fixed. However, he stepped back from the BBC show last year.