Jay Blades given 'vote of confidence' by BBC over TV future amid work break and split from wife
Jay Blades has returned to work following marriage split
BBC
The BBC is said to be supporting presenter Jay Blades during his time away from work after his split with ex-wife Lisa Zbozen after 18 months and the murder of his uncle.
It was announced that Blades would be taking time away from TV in light of the split and told his Instagram followers that he was taking time to clear his head back in May.
Zbozen walked out on Blades last month and claimed their marriage "got worse and worse, until I grabbed a few things and I left," penning a lengthy post on Instagram.
She explained: "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.
"I wanted my husband to love me & keep me safe, and I would love him right back, but it just got worse and worse, until I grabbed a bag of a few things & I just left. Anyway, That's why there's been no new wkouts [workouts].
"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."
The Repair Shop is getting its own spin-off and hitting the road
BBC
The rough couple of months for Blades came as he was expected to be back filming the popular BBC show and had reportedly been absent on set, leaving the Mail Online to report that the broadcaster had "given the time" he needed to deal with his personal life.
A source said: "Jay is a much-loved member of the team on The Repair Shop. It is a really close-knit group, who are like a family. Jay will be given the time he needs to deal with things and sort out what he needs to get sorted.
"He's been through a really difficult time with his uncle and now he is having to deal with the breakdown of his marriage.
"The BBC fully expect Jay to return but they won't be rushing or pushing him to come back before he is ready and he'll be given the space to sort things out and get his head straight.'
Jay Blades took a break from TV and social media following marriage split and death of uncle
BBC
However, it seems that Blades is ready to return to the spotlight and will be involved in a Repair Shop spin-off which will allegedly see the show hit the road to revive people's sentimental treasures.
The Sun reported the show will be less focused on Jay and more on his team of restorers, with filming set to take place at the end of the year after the original series finished filming.
A TV insider told the publication: "This is a great vote of confidence in The Repair Shop's presenter, even if it does see the limelight shift from him somewhat in this spin-off.
"It's also another sign of just how successful the show has become in the seven years it's been on our screens."
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Jay and Lisa were married for 16months before their marriage broke down
Blades reportedly returned to the set of The Repair Shop to continue filming and was spotted without his wedding ring, but looked delighted to be back filming with the crew.
Sources close to the production reportedly told Click News, that his presence back on set has brought back a sense of "normalcy" after his brief time away.
GB News has contacted the BBC for comment on the reports.