The Repair Shop's Jay Blades replacement revealed after series 'axed'

Jay Blades’ replacement in Dame Judi Dench’s upcoming TV project has been revealed, following his departure amid ongoing legal proceedings.

The 54-year-old TV presenter, best known for hosting The Repair Shop, was recently charged with controlling and coercive behaviour against his estranged wife, Lisa Zbozen, over a 20-month period.

In August, Jay worked alongside Dame Judi for the Channel 4 series Dame Judi and Jay: The Odd Couple, where the duo took each other on nostalgic trips down memory lane. However, Channel 4 confirmed the travel series will not return while court proceedings remain active.

For her next project, Dame Judi is collaborating with The Yorkshire Vet Peter Wright for a festive documentary titled A Donkey for Christmas, set to air on December 17. According to the programme’s synopsis: “Donkey-loving vet Peter Wright travels the country and meets the unsung heroes of the donkey welfare world.”

In the series, Judi and Peter visit the Flicka Foundation Donkey Sanctuary in Cornwall, where Judi became a patron in 2022 after falling in love with the animals. The show will highlight issues faced by neglected donkeys, and help the animals find new homes.

Meanwhile, Jay’s career is in turmoil. Reports suggest that he has been dropped from The Repair Shop’s upcoming Christmas special, with furniture restorer Will Kirk and craftsman Dominic Chinea being considered as replacements.

A source told The Sun: “Everything is up in the air following Blades getting charged, but TV chiefs didn’t want to be seen to act slowly. Until court proceedings have run their course, everything is getting put on hold, and alternative plans are being considered.

"But The Repair Shop is likely to continue as it’s hugely popular, and the feeling is that the show is bigger than any individual.”

Channel 5 has also reportedly scrapped A Country House Through Time, a four-part documentary Jay was filming, which would have explored the lives of the Bridgeman family and their servants across several centuries.

Jay and Judi formed a strong bond during their collaboration on The Odd Couple, where they shared deeply personal stories. In one poignant moment, Judi revisited her former home in Charlecote, where memories of her late husband Michael Williams, who died in 2001.

Judi reflected: “I want to take Jay to see my old home in the village of Charlecote but having not been back since leaving in 1984... this isn’t going to be easy.”

The James Bond superstar was seen getting emotional, admitting: “Ok, this is hard. It holds a lot of memories, oh my goodness me! It’s very strange.”