BBC star Jay Blades sombre after pleading not guilty to ‘controlling and coercive behaviour’ --[Reported by Umva mag]

Jay Blades has pleaded not guilty to engaging in charges of controlling or coercive behaviour towards his wife Lisa-Marie Zbozen.

The 54-year-old presenter, known for fronting The Repair Shop on BBC, looked sombre as he arrived at in Worcester Crown Court to give his plea on Friday afternoon.

He appeared before the Recorder of Worcester, Judge James Burbidge KC, and looked sombre as he left court in a dark suit and tie.

The star spoke only to confirm his identity to the court clerk and to enter his plea.

The charge against Blades alleges 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, before 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.

Burbidge 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.’

A ‘short-form’ copy of the indictment facing Blades was read to him before he pleaded not guilty, but a more detailed version of the charge he faces was not read to the 12-minute hearing.

‘You are aware of the allegations against you because you have a particularised indictment,’ said the judge. ‘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.

According to court documents, his alleged behaviour included physical and emotional abuse.

West Mercia Police’s investigation into Blades began earlier this year, after the police department was called on May 3, the police force outlined.

Zbozen, a fitness instructor, announced that the pair’s relationship was over in an emotional Instagram post the previous day, 18 months after their wedding.

He appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on September 13 in relation to the same charge and was bailed until his next court appearance.

Four days later, he had a separate charge of using his mobile phone behind the wheel of his Land Rover dismissed at Walsall Magistrates’ Court.

Amid his court dealings, the future of BBC TV programme The Repair Shop, which he has been a part of ever since it launched in 2017, has been called into question.

Last month, the BBC seemingly revealed the fate of the TV show, as well as whether or not the furniture restorer will be involved.

An insider reportedly told The Sun: ‘The Beeb won’t feature any new shows in which he appears until it is clear how legal ­proceedings conclude.’

The broadcaster confirmed to Metro.co.uk that he is not currently filming the programme, and the firm is currently not going to be scheduling any programmes in which he is featured- but content that already features Blades will remain on BBC iPlayer.

When the news of Blades’ charge was announced, a BBC spokesperson said in a statement to Metro.co.uk: ‘It would not be appropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.’

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