Jay Blades’ The Repair Shop’s Christmas special replacement revealed after coercive behaviour charges-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro

Jay Blades’ replacement for The Repair Shop’s Christmas special has been revealed (Picture: BBC/Ricochet Ltd)

Jay Blades’ replacement for The Repair Shop’s Christmas special has been revealed.

The 54-year-old presenter’s future on the programme remains in doubt after he was charged with controlling and coercive behaviour.

In October, Blades pleaded not guilty to engaging in the charges against his wife Lisa-Marie Zbozen, after allegations 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’.

According to court documents, his alleged behaviour included physical and emotional abuse.

It’s now been revealed The One Show host Roman Kemp will be taking over for Blades on the festive edition of The Repair Shop.

The former Capital DJ, 31, said it was ‘really special’ to visit the beloved barn and be involved in the show.

Roman, who is the son of Spandau Ballet bass player Martin Kemp and Pepsi And Shirlie singer Shirlie Holliman, said: ‘It’s really special – it’s like going inside one of your favourite TV shows so it’s always a very cool moment.’

Roman Kemp is presenting the festival special (Picture: BBC/Richochet /PA Wire)

Blades’ future on the show remains uncertain (Picture:: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

In the episode, the team repairs One Show viewer Kat’s teddy bear, as well as a 100-year-old projector that is part of a family’s Christmas Eve tradition, and two puffin sculptures from a bookshop that bring joy to children.

Roman said Kat’s teddy bear was attacked by a dog, which is something that happened to his mother’s Christmas angel last year, explaining: ‘My mum’s favourite Christmas angel that she had had since the day that she was born, got absolutely torn apart by our family dog and I wanted to get it repaired, seeing shows like The Repair Shop and seeing how emotional people can get over those nostalgic things.

‘So I got it repaired for my mum and it made our Christmas, it was the nicest moment.

‘On The One Show, we wanted to give that same feeling that I had with my family last year to a deserving viewer.

Roman said it was ‘really special’ to visit the beloved barn and be involved in the show, where he helps viewer Kat restore her teddy bear (Picture: BBC/Richochet /PA Wire)

Roman is the son of Spandau Ballet bass player Martin Kemp and Pepsi And Shirlie singer Shirlie Holliman (Picture: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Netflix)

‘And that person was Kat from Oxfordshire whose incredible teddy bear that she has had through generations of her family, unfortunately, also got attacked by a family dog and has a huge hole in the side of it.

‘She wants to pass this teddy bear on to her wonderful son Freddie who has done incredible things and has been raising over £4,000 for his grandfather who sadly passed away, who died of cancer.

‘It will be the most special Christmas present that they could ask for as a family and something that becomes a constant in their life for even more years.’

The BBC has also teased that the Christmas Eve episode will see the experts ‘back spreading joy and creating more Christmas magic with their festive fixes’.

The show will also see two giant fibre-glass puffins that were gifted to a very special children’s bookshop recovered, while viewers see the challenge of reviving an enchanting miniature Christmas village that lights up a family home, where over 30 foster children have been looked after.

Meanwhile, a donkey saddle that’s been handed down through four generations of farmers, will also be restored so its owner can ride him into town and continue the family tradition of delivering presents and spreading happiness to his local community in Northern Ireland.

Finally, a magic lantern projector that’s over 100 years old will be returned to its glory of the childhood wonder and memories it holds.

Earlier this year, a source claimed Blades would not feature in any new shows of The Repair Show until it is clear how legal proceedings would conclude.

Blades was honoured with an MBE in 2021 for services to craft (Picture: PA)

The BBC also confirmed to Metro and that he is not currently filming the programme, and the firm is currently not going to be scheduling any programmes in which he is featured – but content that already features Blades will remain on BBC iPlayer.

Blades denied engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour towards his wife earlier this year, entering  a not guilty plea at Worcester Crown Court to one charge of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour towards Lisa-Marie Zbozen.

The charge alleges that controlling and coercive behaviour took place in an intimate or family relationship between January 1 2023 and September 12 this year.

Zbozen announced that the pair’s relationship was over in an Instagram post on May 2.

Blades’ wife Lisa announced their relationship was over in May (Picture: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)

The charge against 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 Burbidge 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 him: ‘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.’

Blades pleaded guilty in court in October (Pictture: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire)

A ‘short-form’ copy of the indictment facing Blades was read to him before he pleaded not guilty, but a more detailed version of the charge he faces was not read during the 12-minute hearing.

Adjourning the case, the judge told the TV star, who was honoured with an MBE in 2021 for services to craft: ‘You are aware of the allegations against you because you have a particularised indictment.

‘The jury will hear it and the public will then hear the allegations during the prosecution opening, with all those particulars then read out.’

Blades spoke only to confirm his identity to the court clerk and to enter his plea and left the court without comment.

Just days earlier, Blades had a separate charge of using his mobile phone behind the wheel of his Land Rover dismissed at Walsall Magistrates’ Court.

The Repair Shop At Christmas 2024 airs tomorrow, Tuesday, at 8.15pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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