TV presenter Jay Blades has appeared in court on a controlling or coercive behaviour charge after it emerged he has been separately accused of two counts of rape.
The 55-year-old, who fronted primetime BBC show The Repair Shop, appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday via video link for a preliminary hearing in relation to the controlling or coercive behaviour charge.
Blades, who wore animal-print spectacles, a grey suit and a blue polka-dot tie, spoke only to confirm his full name, Jason Blades, during a short hearing.
The TV star previously denied engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour towards his estranged wife Lisa-Marie Zbozen between 1 January 2023 and 12 September last year.
He faces trial at a later date.
In a statement on Tuesday, West Mercia Police confirmed separate charges of rape.
The force said: "Jason Blades, 55, of Claverley in Shropshire, has been charged with two counts of rape.
"He is due to appear at Telford Magistrates' Court on 13 August 2025."
Furniture restorer Blades found fame on restoration programme The Repair Shop, which he started presenting in 2017.
He stepped away from presenting duties last year, having previously won a daytime Bafta TV award in 2023 along with other members of the BBC programme for a special featuring the King, who was at the time the Prince of Wales.
He supported the King’s Foundation, formerly the Prince’s Foundation, as an ambassador and visited its Dumfries House location in Ayrshire for BBC special The Repair Shop: A Royal Visit.
Upon becoming an ambassador for the royal charity, he praised Charles’s vision of “championing a sustainable approach to how we live our lives”. He has since resigned from his role.
The furniture restorer, who was made an MBE for services to craft in 2022, has also resigned from his role as chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University.
He also presented the BBC's Money For Nothing until 2020, and appeared on Celebrity Masterchef and Celebrity Bake Off as well as Comic Relief.
