Jay Blades' surprising Repair Shop replacement confirmed for Christmas special
A new star for a Christmas special of The Repair Shop has been announced after Jay Blades was cut from the BBC programme.
Jay, 54, has been forced to step away from hosting the series as he faces ongoing legal proceedings after being charged with controlling and coercive behaviour towards his estranged wife, Lisa-Marie Zbozen.
The presenter and furniture restorer, who pleaded not guilty to the charge in October, is accused of behaviour that caused Lisa-Marie to fear violence on at least two occasions, which he denies.
According to court documents, the alleged actions included physical and emotional abuse. His legal case is set to continue, with a potential trial scheduled for May next year, but he's still been cut off from all things The Repair Shop, including the show's live theatre tour.
In the meantime, Roman Kemp, 31, best known for hosting The One Show and his time as a Capital Radio DJ, takes the helm of the beloved BBC programme in a special collaboration with The One Show.
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Roman Kemp will present the Christmas special (Image: PA/BBC)Sharing his excitement about joining the festive edition, Roman, who is not known to have any experience in professional furniture restoration, said, “It’s really special – it’s like going inside one of your favourite TV shows, so it’s always a very cool moment.”
The Christmas episode promises heart-warming repairs, including restoring a beloved teddy bear, a magical lantern projector, and two puffin sculptures cherished by a children’s bookshop.
One standout story involves Kat from Oxfordshire, whose family teddy bear was damaged by a dog. Roman explained, “Kat’s teddy bear has been passed through generations, and she wants to give it to her son, Freddie, who’s raised over £4,000 for his late grandfather who died of cancer.”
Reflecting on the emotional significance of such repairs, Roman, who is the son of Spandau Ballet bass player Martin Kemp and Pepsi And Shirlie singer Shirlie Holliman, shared a personal anecdote.
“Last year, my mum’s favourite Christmas angel, which she’d had since she was born, was destroyed by our family dog," he said. "I got it repaired, and it made our Christmas. That feeling is what we wanted to give to Kat and her family.”
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The festive edition will also see repairs to a donkey saddle passed down through four generations of farmers, a miniature Christmas village that has brightened the lives of over 30 foster children, and a 100-year-old projector tied to a family’s cherished Christmas Eve tradition.
The BBC has confirmed that while Jay will not be featured in new episodes until legal proceedings are resolved, existing content with him will remain available on iPlayer.
Earlier this year, sources indicated that Jay would not return to filming until the outcome of his trial is known. Jay, honoured with an MBE in 2021 for his services to craft, has denied the allegations.
During a hearing at Worcester Crown Court, he entered a not guilty plea and left without comment. The judge noted that a jury would hear the full allegations, which will be made public during the trial.
Jay Blades' surprising Repair Shop replacement confirmed for Christmas special
Jay Blades' surprising Repair Shop replacement confirmed for Christmas special
Jay Blades' surprising Repair Shop replacement confirmed for Christmas special
Jay Blades' surprising Repair Shop replacement confirmed for Christmas special
Jay Blades' surprising Repair Shop replacement confirmed for Christmas special
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