The Repair Shop's Jay Blades and BBC host pleads not guilty to coercive behaviour charges

presenter has pleaded not guilty to charges of controlling and coercive behaviour against his estranged wife. The BBC restorer appeared in Worcester Crown Court today (October 11).

The charge relates to his wife Lisa Zbozen, a fitness instructor, the court heard. Ms Zbozen announced that the pair's relationship was over in an Instagram post on May 2.

The 54-year-old appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on September 13 in relation to the same charge and was bailed until his next court appearance.

Mr Blades appeared in court on Friday charged with engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour towards his wife.

The Repair Shop star is accused of causing 43-year-old Ms Zbozen to fear "violence" would be used against her on at least two occasions.

Mr Blades, from Claverley in Shropshire, appeared before the Recorder of Worcester, Judge James Burbidge KC on Friday.

The charge sheet states he allegedly "engaged in behaviour towards Lisa Marie Zbozen that was controlling or coercive which had a serious effect on her, namely that it caused [her] to fear, on at least two occasions, that violence will be used against her, at a time when he knew or ought to have known that the behaviour will have a serious effect.".

The offences took place between January 1, 2023, and September 12, 2024, it is alleged.

The charge against Jay 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."