Jay Blades quits two charities endorsed by King Charles after coercive behaviour charge
Jay Blades, embattled star of The Repair Shop, has stepped down from two charities endorsed by King Charles following charges of coercive behaviour.
Blades, 54, resigned as co-chair and trustee of Heritage Crafts and as an ambassador for the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) on Friday. Both organisations have King Charles as their patron.
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.
The decision comes after Blades was accused of controlling and coercive behaviour towards his estranged fitness instructor wife Lisa Zbozen, who announced on her Instagram page on May 2 that their relationship was over, according to court documents.
Heritage Crafts, which works to preserve traditional crafts, confirmed Blades’ departure. QEST, which funds education for craftspeople, also acknowledged his resignation.
Blades had already resigned from his role as an ambassador for the King’s Foundation after the charge was brought against him on Thursday.
He had been closely involved with both charities. In August 2022, Heritage Crafts announced that Blades would co-chair its Board of Trustees for three years. His profile on the charity’s website highlighted his role in promoting heritage skills through his television work.
Similarly, QEST welcomed Blades as an ambassador in July 2020, praising his passion for craftsmanship and furniture restoration. In a statement on his website, Blades had called it a "privilege" to work with QEST, emphasising the importance of passing down traditional skills to future generations.
Representatives for Blades and the charities involved have yet to comment further on his departure.
A repeat of Blades’s show David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed was no longer on the BBC’s schedule on Friday night and it is understood the broadcaster will not currently schedule any programmes in which he features.
He appeared in Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on Friday and has been bailed to appear at Worcester Crown Court next month.
