Jay Blades was once the star of The Repair Shop and being watched by seven million viewers… now he’s DJing from his bedroom to just a ‘handful’ of listeners with a coercive control court case hanging over his head
In reflecting upon Jay Blades’ remarkable journey, I am struck by the indomitable spirit that has propelled him through adversity and towards success. His story is one of resilience, determination, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of restoration – not just for objects, but for people as well.
A year ago, I was absolutely hooked on that hit BBC show that Jay Blades was leading – a series so popular it drew in an astonishing seven million viewers every week!
Currently, the host of the Repair Shop is taking a break following allegations of abusive behavior towards his spouse, specifically involving control and coercion.
Originally hailing from humble beginnings, this celebrity, once destined by royal decree for television stardom, has now serenely rekindled interest among a fresh fanbase following their venture into the world of disc jockeying.
54-year-old Blades invites fans to join him for a unique weekend experience by spinning live DJ tunes directly from his cozy home bedroom, as we’ve learned.
Instead of repairing furniture, the craftsman now sets up dual platforms and a microphone, playing records that focus on romantic soul, spiritual gospel, and jazzy tunes, along with hard-to-find grooves.
He’s picked up more than 2,000 followers broadcasting three hour late evening weekend sets on an online music streaming service where performers are paid through subscriptions and tips.
Blades has previously dabbled in DJing, playing live gigs.
Now, starting his new venture on Mixcloud, Blades expressed: “In search of the ideal background music for your weekend? Your quest ends here!
Regardless if you’re wrapping up a busy week or getting ready for a lively evening, my live DJ performances will undoubtedly create the ideal ambiance for any occasion. Make sure not to miss it!
‘Let’s make every weekend unforgettable with the best tunes and the greatest vibes!’
On top of my regular weekend viewing pleasure, I simply can’t miss those surprise Tuesday-night appearances by Blades!
During a single performance, he gracefully moves to the catchy tunes while addressing his audience with: “You’re experiencing something fresh here. Consider yourselves lucky!
Blades, sporting his trademark bold glasses, also appears to have found himself a new catchphrase as he repeatedly says: ‘Oh gosh. Oh gosh.’
He adds: ‘I told you Jay don’t do it the normal way – it’s different.’
He encourages folks to join by saying: “Hey there, friends! Make sure to subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss me when I return live. And remember, if possible, kindly spread the word by sharing the link – I promise, what I offer is unique.
The performances are broadcast straight from his residence close to Wolverhampton, specifically an upper room equipped with advanced technology and boasting an extensive vinyl record collection.
As a lifestyle connoisseur, I find myself reminiscing about my past experiences that seem light years apart from my stint on the beloved family program where ordinary folks bring in their tattered treasures for a restoration makeover by our talented team.
Following his rise to stardom and wealth, the world became Blades’ oyster, as his career continued to soar, reaching greater and more splendid peaks.
In 2021, a star received an MBE, following which they developed an unanticipated bond with King Charles III. This unexpected camaraderie was showcased when he made an appearance in one of the most iconic episodes of The Repair Shop.
In December 2022, Jay got married to the charming fitness instructor, Lisa Zbozen who is 43 years old, during a beautiful beach wedding in Barbados.
He stands accused of physically and emotionally abusing Lisa who heartbreakingly revealed earlier this year that her life was ‘broken’.
Previously this month, the typically well-dressed tall celebrity was spotted donning a padded coat, hoodie, and athletic pants while exiting Kidderminster Magistrates Court. This was following an appearance in the courtroom where he faced charges of controlling and coercive behavior towards Lisa.
In the following period, BBC and other television networks started postponing shows involving Blades as the host stepped down from his roles in three of King Charles’ preferred charities.
At Buckinghamshire New University, Blades stepped down from his position as Chancellor effective immediately.
In the year 2001, Blades, who had completed his education at 15 without any certificates, decided to attend university as a mature student, pursuing a combined degree in both Criminology and Philosophy.
Born and raised in the bustling area of Hackney, East London, Blades spent his early years surrounded by the hustle and struggle that characterized his impoverished childhood home. His father, Trevor from Jamaica, had left him and his mother Barbara as an infant, leaving them to cope with the hardships on their own.
The star explained that they felt stranded and betrayed when the person who played a role in their birth failed to keep his promises to his mother, eventually leaving her penniless.
It turned out that he learned he was one of 26 siblings from his father’s family, who live on different continents. Specifically, there were six in South America and two in Africa.
Jay has previously told how he was taunted by racist bullies at school.
Suffering from undiagnosed dyslexia he could barely read or write when he left school.
At the age of 21, Blades found himself residing at a Salvation Army shelter for the homeless, having previously taken on manual labor jobs and factory work.
About a year ago, my firstborn son Levi, who is now 33 years old, entered the world following a series of ups and downs in our longtime relationship with Maria, a girl I grew up with.
He went onto have another son Dior, now 29, from a separate relationship.
Through a trustee at the hostel, Blades was provided an opportunity to work as a volunteer at an Oxford homeless center, which helped him find the strength to move forward after some difficult times.
He described the experience as ‘a beautiful awakening’ and after completing further community enterprise projects, he and his then wife, Jade, a textiles graduate, ventured into furniture restoration.
They established a socially responsible business, focused on refurbishing discarded furniture, primarily to provide vocational education for underprivileged youth.
Blades revealed that he reached a low point once more following his separation from Jade, who is the mother of his 18-year-old daughter Zola, in 2015.
Their relationship deteriorated when their charitable venture failed, leaving him without a home once more. He lived in his car, feeling that the next day might never come.
Blades resided by living off the generosity of his friends, yet he shared that during the same period, TV producers stumbled upon a brief movie about charity and felt that Blades was an ideal candidate for a fresh BBC series – “The Repair Shop.
First, Blades encountered King Charles, followed by a meeting with the Prince of Wales. This encounter occurred when Blades received his MBE, an honor bestowed in recognition of his exceptional work in the field of craft.
In just a few short months, they found themselves reuniting on set, this time for a unique, standalone episode of the series, which was filmed at Dumfries House in Scotland.
In this particular installment, the upcoming ruler selected an antique timepiece and a ceramic item crafted especially for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, which the program’s skilled restorers will refurbish.
Last year in May, Blades participated in the coronation held at Westminster Abbey, and subsequently, he was graciously invited by the King to celebrate his 75th birthday at Highgrove.
Blades discussed his close friendship, which he referred to as a “bromance”, with the monarch. He went on to describe him as a “pretty decent chap” and shared stories about how they connected through their mutual interests in traditional craftsmanship and restorations.
In such a close friendship, it felt entirely appropriate when Blades disregarded protocol by placing a touch on Charles’ arm while filming the episode.
Afterward, Blades showcased a collection of documentaries, collaborating with famous figures such as Dame Judi Dench and Sir David Jason along the way.
As a lifestyle enthusiast, I was all set to dive into an exciting lineup of upcoming television productions, including a highly-anticipated sequel to a prestigious award-winning series, when my world took an unexpected turn in May. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances led to my arrest and subsequent charges, halting the momentum of these projects temporarily.
Straight after that, I discovered some shocking news about my beloved actor – he had taken a temporary leave from filming. The reason behind this break was not just professional, but deeply personal as well. It seemed to be linked to the tragic and violent death of his uncle, Richard Braithwaite, who passed away at 72 in North London back in March. A neighbor is currently facing charges for this heinous crime.
As your trusted lifestyle guide, I’d like to share some personal news with you all. For a while, I’ll be taking a brief hiatus from social media platforms. Rest assured, I’ll return refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to continue our journey of exploring the best life has to offer together.
‘Going to go and get some therapy and just chill out. Please, take care of each other, take care of yourself, and I’ll see you guys soon.’
Following Blades’ court hearing, shows that Blades was scheduled to appear on for both Channel 4 and Channel 5 started putting them on hold.
The upcoming episodes of the repair shop series, which include appearances by Blades, have been removed from broadcast schedules. Meanwhile, it’s uncertain if a holiday special will air as planned.
In the meantime, Blades conveyed to the King’s foundation that he was relinquishing his position as an ambassador for the educational charity.
Apart from that, he relinquished his roles as co-chair, trustee at Heritage Crafts, and ambassador for the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust. Noteworthy, King Charles serves as the patron for both these organizations.
Previously stated on Blades’ personal website: ‘He stands against the discard-and-replace culture we find ourselves in, holding the conviction that the aged can regain youthfulness, the tarnished can sparkle once more, and what is damaged can be mended.’
It might not be just chance that his conviction about reviving items originates from a similar viewpoint that people can also be mended, refurbished, and reinvigorated.
He personifies that completely. A man whose history serves as a testament to the obstacles he’s conquered, making his journey to his current position even more awe-inspiring due to the significant hurdles he’s surmounted along the way.
‘Jay’s forever driven by doing better.’
Blades will appear at Worcester Crown Court for a pre-trial hearing on October 11.
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2024-10-03 14:08