Jay Blades takes step back from The Repair Shop after uncle's death and marriage split

The Repair Shop star Jay Blades has taken a step back from his filming commitments following his uncle's death and split from
wife Lisa-Marie Zbozen. In view of his 194,000 followers last month, the 54-year-old BBC star appeared emotional as he announced that his uncle Richard Brathwaite had been murdered.

The furniture restorer said the shocking ordeal had left him feeling "a little messed up" and was therefore going to "get some therapy and chill out". Jay's uncle was allegedly stabbed to death by a neighbour in a row over a shared alleyway.

Just under two days later, Lisa announced that they had split after 18 months of marriage which prompted many fans to send supportive messages. Jay has since continued to stay off social media and now it's been revealed he will also take a break from filming commitments.

A spokesperson for Jay has told Express.co.uk that he is "continuing to take some time out" while another source told The Sun: “Jay has taken a step back and is having a break from filming The Repair Shop.

“His uncle’s death in March and the breakdown of his marriage means he has decided to take some time out.” Contrary to reports that he had missed some parts of the 2024 Christmas special, Express.co.uk has also been told that filming for the episode had already taken place before Jay's personal challenges hit the headlines.

The much loved show's Christmas specials have proven to be popular with fans over the years, pulling in over seven million viewers.

Last year, viewers were left in tears just minutes into the show after customer Jo Thomas sought help at the workshop for the restoration of her beloved record player.

Jo hoped that Mark Stuckey could prevent further deterioration of the sentimental object which was gifted to her by her late son, Ben, who tragically passed away from bone cancer in 2006 aged just 11.

As his last Christmas neared, Ben, who shared a love of music with his mum, went shopping and bought her the record player using his own money.

Reflecting on receiving the gift, she told the experts: "On Christmas Day, I opened it and I just cried my eyes out because he got me, didn't he? He bought it by Christmas 2005 and then died on January 6.

"We never thought we'd celebrate Christmas again, but we do because it's beautiful memories, even though it's intertwined with upset. Each time I look at [the record player] I think of Ben."

Thankfully, Mark was able to make Jo's dreams come true and made the record player work like new again, complete with legs to stand on.

Details about this year's Christmas special are currently under wraps. Express.co.uk has contacted a representative for the BBC for comment.

Jay has been the show's leading team member since it began back in 2017.

Four years into his stint, he went public with the news that he had asked partner Lisa-Marie to marry him, which she accepted.

A year later, they tied the knot in front of 15 loved ones on an idyllic in Barbados.

18 months on however, the pair have called it quits with Lisa issuing an emotional statement about the split on Instagram.