Production for The Repair Shop’s highly anticipated Christmas special has hit a snag due to the personal turmoil surrounding host Jay Blades. Blades, the beloved furniture restorer and presenter of the hit BBC show, recently informed producers that he would be unable to participate in the planned recording, causing significant concerns about the completion of the episode.
Sources from the production revealed that filming at the Weald & Downland Living Museum in Chichester had already commenced when Blades unexpectedly withdrew from the project. The abrupt halt in production last Monday has left the show’s staff uncertain about the future of the Christmas special.
Blades’ marital troubles with fitness instructor Lisa-Marie Zbozen have further complicated matters. Zbozen publicly announced their separation on social media, expressing her profound sadness over the situation. The couple, who tied the knot in a picturesque beachfront wedding in Barbados in 2022, now find themselves navigating the aftermath of their split.
The upheaval in Blades’ personal life follows the recent loss of his uncle, Richard Brathwaite, under tragic circumstances. Blades had previously announced a hiatus from social media to process his grief.
As the future of The Repair Shop’s Christmas special hangs in the balance, fans await further updates on the show’s production schedule. Despite the challenges faced by Blades, his contributions to the craft community and his endearing rapport with viewers have earned him widespread acclaim over the years.