JAY Blades has become a famous face on our screens thanks to hosting The Repair Shop.
While Jay is well-known, he tends to keep his personal life private. Here’s what we know about him.
How old is Jay Blades?
Jay Blades is a furniture designer and award-winning community leader, based in Wolverhampton.
He was born on February 21, 1970 – making him 54 as of May 2024.
Jay is one of 26 children on his dad’s side, with them all spread across various continents, including six in South America and two in Africa.
His interest in interiors started when he had to furnish his first flat with no money.
READ MORE ON THE REPAIR SHOP
Jay was forced to be inventive with bricks, milk bottle crates and washing lines.
The TV star was made an MBE in the Queen’s 2021 Birthday Honours.
Is Jay Blades married?
Jay has three children, including daughter Zola with his ex-wife Jade.
He then had a four year relationship with Christine Goodman.
Jay then began dating Lisa Zbozen and the couple became engaged in December 2021.
Jay designed the engagement ring and it was made by his Repair Shop co-star Richard Talman.
He went on to marry Lisa in November 2022.
The pair tied the knot in front of 15 guests at a villa in Barbados.
They exchanged “imperfect” rings which were designed by Talman.
However, on Thursday May 2, 2024, Lisa announced that the two of them are now going their separate ways.
She posted a statement on social media saying: “I don’t know how to say this because it’s still really raw.
“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.”
Going to go and get some therapy and just chill out. Please, take care of each other, take care of yourself, and I’ll see you guys soon
Jay Blades
She added: “I will admit I’m crying as I type this as I can’t believe this is even real.
“I hope you don’t mind if I just have a few days trying to figure out my life as I’m currently in a spare room with a few essentials.
“I don’t know what else to say.
“All my love, A very broken Lisa-Marie x”
The split came just a day after Jay said he was taking a social media break to process his grief following the death of his uncle.
In a video on his Instagram account he said: ”I’m coming off social media for a bit, and I’ll be back in a bit.
“Going to go and get some therapy and just chill out. Please, take care of each other, take care of yourself, and I’ll see you guys soon.”
JAY AND LISA MARIE’S RELATIONSHIP
JAY got down on one knee with a ring he designed and was made by his co-star Richard Talman who works as a goldsmith on the show in 2021.
They tied the knot in a sunny Caribbean ceremony on November 2022 with just 15 guests attending.
Speaking to Hello! magazine about their special day, Jay, 52, said: “One word sums up the day: perfect.
“We had our closest family there, the weather held out and everything worked out so well.”
Lisa, 41, added: “Once you get to a certain age, you realise what’s actually important on the day – and that is having the people around you that love you for who you are.
“So we made the day our day.”
Jay was overcome with emotion during the ceremony.
The television presenter confessed: “I think the thing that was most emotional for me was actually saying the vows.
“It was almost like I had tunnel vision and I could only see Lisa there.
“And honestly, that’s when it really hit me. I was like, ‘We’re really getting married now!’. That’s the only time I really got emotional.”
Jay was previously married to his ex-wife Jade.
The pair, who split up in 2015, share daughter Zola, 15.
His uncle, Richard Brathwaite, 72, was found dead on Cromwell Road in Wembley around lunchtime on March 21, 2024, after his next-door neighbour Derek Brown allegedly knifed him.
Brown is also accused of attacking Richard’s wife, Jay’s aunt.
The defendant will next appear in court for a plea hearing on June 11.
What TV shows has Jay Blades been on?
Jay is mostly known for being on The Repair Shop.
He has been a regular on the BBC series since it first aired in 2017.
Over the years he has also had numerous stints on This Morning.
He has appeared alongside Gok Wan as an expert on his show Gok’s Fill Your House For Free.
Jay was also a contestant on the 2018 series of Celebrity MasterChef and competed against Gemma Collins, Carol Decker and Spencer Matthews.
He appeared on a BBC documentary called Jay Blades: Learning To Read At 51.
Where is Jay Blades from?
Jay was brought up in Hackney, in the East End of London.
In 2022, he featured in Channel 5 documentary No Place Like Home, where he retraced his Londoner roots.
Made up of three one-hour episodes, Jay delved into the unique past of his childhood neighbourhood.
He reunited with Channel 5 in 2023 for a new three-part documentary Jay Blades: History Of The East End.