Jay Blades' electronic tag removed as BBC star pleads not guilty to coercive behaviour charge

TV presenter Jay Blades appeared in court today to enter his not guilty plea after being charged with engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour towards his estranged wife

The Repair Shop host Jay Blades made no comment as he left court after pleading not guilty following being charged with engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour towards his estranged wife.

He appeared at Worcester Crown Court this afternoon where he spoke to confirm his identity and enter his plea. Blades, who rose to fame on the hit BBC series, was charged with one count of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship by police last month.

The charge relates to his wife Lisa Zbozen, a fitness instructor, according to court documents. During his court appearance, a short-form copy of the indictment facing Blades was read to him before he pleaded not guilty. A more detailed version of the charge he faces was not read to the 12-minute hearing.

Judge James Burbidge KC told Blades: “You are aware of the allegations against you because you have a particularised indictment. The jury will hear it and the public will then hear the allegations during the prosecution opening, with all those particulars then read out.” Blades left the court without comment.

The charge against Blades alleges that his behaviour had a “serious effect” on his partner “namely that it caused her to fear on at least two occasions that violence would be used against her”. Judge James Burbidge KC rejected an application for part of the proceedings to be heard in private.

Adjourning the case with a possible trial date of May 6 next year, the judge removed a bail condition that Blades should be subject to an electronic tag, which had not yet been fitted due to “failings” by the company responsible. The judge told Blades: “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.”

Ms Zbozen announced that the pair’s relationship was over in an Instagram post on May 2. Their split came less than two years on from their exotic Barbados wedding ceremony in November 2022. Blades, 54, appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on September 13 in relation to the same charge and was bailed until his next court appearance.

Blades became a household name when he began hosting The Repair Shop in 2017 when the show first aired on BBC Two. In October 2022 the dad-of-three was the lead presenter for a special edition of the BBC series featuring the newly crowned King Charles.

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