BBC star Jay Blades arrived at court on Tuesday morning to face a driving offence charge – just days after being charged with controlling and coercive behaviour against his wife. The Repair Shop host is accused of using his mobile phone while driving in Wombourne, Staffordshire, in April last year, which he previously denied.
The 54-year-old arrived at Cannock Magistrates’ Court looking stony-faced and wearing a black suit as he clutched a bottle of water. On Friday the furniture restorer attended Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court to face a charge of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship.
The charge relates to his estranged wife Lisa Zbozen, a fitness instructor, who revealed on social media in May that their relationship had come to an end. West Mercia Police launched an investigation after officers were called to an address the day after Ms Zbozen’s post on Instagram.
Dad-of-three Blades will appear at Worcester Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on October 11. Following his first charge, he resigned from the King’s Foundation, which he supported as an ambassador.
He previously won a daytime BAFTA TV award for a Repair Shop special which had featured the King, who was Prince of Wales at the time.