Jay Blades' future as The Repair Shop host has been revealed following the breakdown of his marriage and his uncle’s shock murder.
The TV star, 54, was said to be taking a break from his work after suffering some setbacks in his personal life. His uncle Richard Braithwaite was reportedly ‘stabbed to death in the street’ by a neighbour near his London home in March over a long-standing dispute over a shared alleyway.
While his wife of 18-months Lisa-Marie Zbozen gave a shock statement just days later saying she was leaving him and their “marriage is over”. In a statement shared online she said: “I don’t know how to say this because it’s still really raw. I probably should be really angry but I’m just incredibly sad about the whole thing right now.”
A representative of Jay confirmed to the Mirror that he is taking a break from filming the hit BBC show. Filming started for the new series last week without Jay, but he is simply being "given the space" he needs.
"Jay will be given the time he needs to deal with things and sort out what he needs to get sorted," a source told Daily Mail. "He's been through a really difficult time with his uncle and now he is having to deal with the breakdown of his marriage. The BBC fully expect Jay to return but they won't be rushing or pushing him to come back before he is ready and he'll be given the space to sort things out and get his head straight."
It has also been reportedly that the Repair Shop Christmas special was also thrown into doubt. However, the source claimed filming for the episode is "almost wrapped up" and that "there's no chance it won't go out". Earlier this month, Jay shared the shock news that his uncle had been "murdered a few weeks ago".
He explained the traumatic experience had left him in shock. His 71-year-old aunt Annetta is also thought to have sustained injuries, suffering cuts to her head and face. A man has since been charged with murder, wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
Just days after Jay announced he would be taking a break from social media, his wife Lisa-Marie issued a statement online. She admitted “I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much” as she admitted their marriage “just got worse and worse.” The 44-year-old added: “The world got the best parts of my husband and over time, I got a whole lot of everything else. I will admit I’m crying as I type this as I can’t believe this is even real. I hope you don’t mind if I just have a few days trying to figure out my life as I’m currently in a spare room with a few essentials. I don’t know what else to say. All my love, a very broken Lisa-Marie x."
Jay and Lisa married in a lavish beachfront villa ceremony in Barbados in 2022 in front of just 15 guests. Before Lisa, Jay was previously married to ex-wife Jade, and the former couple share 15-year-old daughter Zola together, before splitting in 2015. He also has two other children from two previous relationships.
The Mirror has contacted Jay's representatives and the BBC for comment.
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