BBC The Repair Shop sets record straight amid rumours live shows were axed after Jay Blades charges
The Repair Shop has addressed concerns about the future of the franchise’s live shows after several dates were dropped after presenter Jay Blades appeared in court for controlling and coercive behaviour.
Back in October, Blades arrived in a black suit, with the court briefly hearing an application for part of the proceedings to be held in private which Judge James Burbidge KC rejected.
The judge went on to say: “You have denied responsibility for the crime alleged against you and the prosecution propose to trial you.”
Court documents explain Blades allegedly “engaged in behaviour” towards estranged wife Lisa Marie Zbozen that caused her to “fear, on at least two occasions, that violence will be used against her.”
After pleading not guilty in court and with a trial date set for May 2025, Blades was ultimately dropped from the BBC show and its live tour after seven years as the face of the programme.
The star was also edited out of classic episodes that aired shortly after the allegations were made against him.
Following the star’s removal, ticket sales for the live shows have reportedly been sluggish, which The Sun claims led to the cancellation of shows in Newcastle, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
A spokesperson has since addressed the reports, however, and assured GB News the dropping of the dates was because of “unforeseen scheduling issues”.
They said: “The Repair Shop Live: Secrets from the Barn shows at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle have been postponed due to unforeseen scheduling issues, but it is looking forward to visiting those areas later in 2025.
“Tickets for Brighton, Swansea, Bath, Portsmouth, Birmingham, Leicester, Southend, Nottingham, Salford and Sheffield are unaffected and are available through Ticketmaster and local venues.”
On the O2 City Hall website in Newcastle, where one of the cancelled events was set to occur, a message now states: “The Repair Shop Live: Secrets From The Barn.
“Sorry, this show has been cancelled and there aren’t any plans to reschedule.”
The notice advises ticket holders to seek refunds and further information from their original point of purchase.
Blades split with Zbozen in May, just 18 months after their wedding abroad, leaving her to pen a lengthy post about the situation.
The personal trainer wrote on her Instagram: “I have been quiet until now, but the papers seem to be picking up this story, but some parts have been definitely missed, so it’s forced my hand…
“This was the whole post on a private forum: I don’t know how to say this because it’s still really raw.
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“I probably should be really angry but I’m just incredibly sad about the whole thing right now. I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much.
“I wanted my husband to love me and keep me safe, and I would love him right back, but it just got worse and worse, until I grabbed a bag of a few things and I just left. Anyway, That’s why there’s been no new workouts.” (sic)