Jay Blades' ex wife Jade had to call the police when he went missing (2024)

Jay Blades has previously revealed that his ex wife Jade had to call the police and report him as a missing person after he disappeared following their split.

In his 2021 memoir, The Repair Shop star, 54, spoke about the aftermath of his first marriage breakdown as he told how his 'life came crashing down' around him.

It comes as on Thursday his current wife announced their shock split after just 18 months of marriage.

Fitness instructor Lisa Marie Zbozen, 43, has said she has left the TV star - who she married in November 2022.

But before Lisa, he was married to Jade who he met while studying at university. The former couple share 17-year-old daughter Zola together and split in 2015.

Jay Blades has previously revealed that his ex wife Jade had to call the police and report him as a missing person after he disappeared following their split

It comes as on Thursday his current wife announced their shock split after just 18 months of marriage

In a part of his old memoir he told how when they split he 'hadn't planned' to leave and 'hadn't even packed a bag' when he got into his car and drove away from their home.

He then spent the next few days and nights in the car parked at a shopping centre in Wolverhampton out of sight of CCTV cameras

Jay said: 'My life had come crashing down around me. I was 40, I was in a cloud of dust and couldn't see anything. This is it, I thought. There's no way forward. All the things I have achieved are worth nothing now.

'EventuallyI had to find a hotel and take a shower. Using my credit card, I ordered room service and ate the first real meal I'd had in days. I'd lost a stone since leaving home.

'Next morning, the police wanted to talk to me. My wife had reported me missing, and when I paid for the room by card, alarm bells rang.'

He went on to explain that the police brought apsychiatric nurse to help with his questioning and he 'answered on autopilot' feeling like he 'wasn't really there'.

Jay then recalled how he overheard the nurse say to the policeman:'I'm not sure yet that we need to section him.'

The policeman then added that they thought he was a danger to himself - which Jay recalled was 'scary'.

Fitness instructor Lisa Marie Zbozen, 43, has said she has left the TV star - who she married in November 2022

In a part of his old memoir he told how when they split he 'hadn't planned' to leave and hadn't even packed a bag when he got into his car and drove away from their home

Jay said: 'My life had come crashing down around me. I was 40, I was in a cloud of dust and couldn't see anything'

He was then taken under the wing of one of his palsbusinessman Gerald Bailey who helped him find his feet again amid his divorce and helped him find somewhere new to live - with Gerald's his mum and stepdad

When their relationship sadly broke down Jay relocated to the West Midlands. 'I was homeless. You heard me right – yes, homeless,' he told the Daily Star at the time. 'Everything fell down for me. My marriage broke up, my business broke up.

'I left my ex-wife the house and everything like that.'

He then moved on and married Lisa - who announced their shock split on Thursday after just 18 months of marriage.

It comes just a day after it was revealed that Jay's beloved uncle was allegedly stabbed to death by a neighbourfollowing a long-running dispute over a shared alleyway.

In a statement posted online early this morning Lisa said: '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 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 x.'

A representative for Jay has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.

The couple married in Barbados in November 2022, sharing their wedding with Hello! Magazine.

Speaking about their intimate ceremony of just 15 guests, Lisa told the magazine at the time: 'Once you get to a certain age, you realise what's actually important on the day - and that is having the people around you that love you for who you are. So we made the day our day.'

During the ceremony, the couple exchanged bespoke wedding rings which had been created by The Repair Shop's Richard Talman - which Lisa said was one of her favourite touches.

Lisa is a personal trainer with decades of experience in her field, posting tough, high-intensity workouts on Instagram almost every day which show her lifting kettlebells, lunging and squatting.

She runs on-demand fitness app The Wkout, which offers programmes for fat burning, strength training and yoga.

A biography of Lisa on The Wkout's website describes her determination as 'no joke'.

It reads: 'Lisa brings the FIRE every-time. Lisa's workouts are dynamic, powerful & no two workouts are the same.'

The fitness company also describes itself as: 'No Fad Diets, No Gimmicks & No Excuses. Just hard work & sweat.'

The relatively private couple also gave fans a glimpse into their relationship in early 2022 when Jay revealed he didn't learn to read or write in childhood.

Appearing on BBC documentary Jay Blades: Learning to Read at 51, the couple were filmed going over words for the presenter to spell out as practise.

Jay, who has revealed he received a late dyslexia diagnosis at the age of 31, asks for his other half's help spelling the word 'tree' during the programme.

As she was filmed helping him, Jay says: 'I've mainly got by from the help from those around me, people like Lisa.'

Although Lisa's Instagram account is typically filled with fitness and motivational content, she often pauses her workout material to pay tribute to Jay.

On Valentine's Day 2022 she posted a headshot of the presenter, writing: 'Dear Universe, Thank You.' She added the hashtag #sohandsome.

After the pair got engaged, she posted a sweet selfie of herself and Jay while he kissed her forehead, thanking loved ones for their messages of support.

Lisa wrote: 'I'm very lucky & grateful for everything I have.'

In another post from Royal Ascot, after the couple were engaged, Lisa shared another selfie of herself with Jay dressed in their finery and wrote: 'The very first time I met him, I said: 'I'm going to marry that man.'

She added: 'Thank you for challenging me to be better every day.

'I'm not perfect by a long way, but working together, we make it as perfect as it could be. I love you completely.'

The split comes afterJay's beloved uncle was allegedly stabbed to death by a neighbour on a quiet residential street following a long-running dispute over a shared alleyway, MailOnline revealed this week.

The Repair Shop star announced on Monday that he would be taking time away from social media to process his grief following the death of his uncle, telling his fans the shocking bereavement had left him feeling 'messed up'.

Richard Brathwaite, 72, was found dead on Cromwell Road in Wembley around lunchtime on March 21 after his next door neighbour Derek Brown, who lived on the same street, allegedly knifed him.

Brown, also 72, is said to have launched the attack on Mr Braithwaite after accusing the victim of leaving items in the shared alleyway between their homes.

During the fatal incident, Mr Blades' 71-year-old aunt Annetta was also injured and suffered cuts to her head and face.

The funeral for Mr Brathwaite is thought to have been held on Monday, with the BBC presenter paying tribute to his uncle, who he called a 'really, super nice guy' adding that the alleged killing 'should never have happened to him'.

In an emotional video, still wearing his black suit following the service, he told his Instagram followers: 'Hope you're all well. This is kind of like a public service announcement. I've just been to my uncle's funeral [...].

'Really, super nice guy, shouldn't have happened to him, but it really affected me. I feel a little bit messed up. So what I'm intending on doing is this.

READ MORE:The Repair Shop's Jay Blades emotionally reveals his beloved uncle has been murdered as grieving star quits social media after his funeral

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'I'm coming off social media for a bit, and I'll be back in a bit. Going to go and get some therapy and just chill out. Please, take care of each other, take care of yourself, and I'll see you guys soon.'

Emergency services were called to the North London property in March but tragically pronounced Mr Brathwaite dead at 12.30pm. A man was later arrested outside Wembley Police Station.

A special post-mortem examination that took place two days later gave the victim's cause of death as a stab injury.

A man appeared in court on March 26 where he was charged with murder, wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC told the Old Bailey in March the alleged murder took place following a 'long-running neighbour dispute between the defendant and the deceased'.

Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC set a plea hearing for June 11, scheduling a three-week provisional trial from January 27 next year.

Neighbours living on the street told MailOnline they did not know much about Mr Braithwaite who 'kept to himself'.

Mr Blades' video, which was captioned 'good evening all, see you soon', led to an outpouring of support from fans and those within the television community.

BBC and ITV presenter Julia Bradbury wrote: 'Sorry to hear this Jay. Glad you're taking some time out'.

Channel 4's First Dates star Fred Sirieix posted a red heart emoji, while 5News host Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije said: 'Look after you bro. So sorry for your loss.'

BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin added: 'I am so sorry to hear this, sending you love xx'.

Jay, who is best known for presenting BBC's The Repair Shop, was raised in Hackney with his mother Barbara and maternal half-brother.

The presenter, a furniture maker by trade, has seen his career flourish since BBC producers put him at the helm of the hit craft show, which restores family heirlooms to their former glory, in 2017.

He grew up in poverty after his father abandoned his much-loved mother Barbara and by the time he was in his twenties, he ended up homeless and wondering 'is this what my life has come to?'.

The father-of-three previously said he could fit all his belongings in one carrier bag when he lived in a hostel before he was given social housing on the Victorian Peabody estate.

Jay was discovered by TV producers after they saw a short film about Out of the Dark, a charity he co-founded that taught young people how to restore and sell old furniture, after previously running community groups for youngsters.

But he became homeless as his relationship disintegrated with his ex-wife - before being discovered and elevated to TV stardom frontingThe Repair Shop on its debut in 2017.

The reveal about his second marriage split comes just a day after it was revealed that Jay's beloved uncle (seen) was allegedly stabbed to death by a neighbour following a long-running dispute over a shared alleyway

Jay was discovered by TV producers after they saw a short film about Out of the Dark, a charity he co-founded that taught young people how to restore and sell old furniture

Dyslexic and unable to read, it wasn't until the star reached 51 that he began to tackle to the illiteracy problem that had haunted him all of his adult life - after he'd found fame on the show that tapped into the nation's obsession with heritage crafting.

Speaking about when he was homeless, Mr Blades said: 'At 21 I was all over the place, I had no direction, I left London because I was getting into loads of fights and there were people after me.

'My mum moved to Luton and I lived up there with her for a bit.

I had my first child, and then split up with the missus, and moved back to London, then I ended up homeless and went into a hostel.'

Jay was appointed an MBE in the 2021 Birthday Honours, for services to craft, with King Charles even appearing in a special episode.

Jay Blades' ex wife Jade had to call the police when he went missing (2024)

FAQs

Has Jay Blades split from his wife? ›

The Repair Shop TV presenter Jay Blades' wife has said, “I don't believe this is real”, after announcing they had split up. Lisa Marie Zbozen, 43, posted an emotional video on social media, in which she can be heard sobbing on Thursday.

Who was Jay Blades' first wife? ›

Jay was previously married to his ex-wife Jade. The pair, who split up in 2015, share daughter Zola, 15.

What are Jay Blades doing now? ›

In 2022, one of his busiest years of work, he spent just 22 days out of the year in his own home in Ironbridge in Shropshire, where he lives near his furniture restoration business, Jay & Co. This year, he's already filmed five different series, an experience he calls “quite intense”.

Who is Lisa Zbozen? ›

Jay Blades' wife Lisa Zbozen was pictured walking the dog with her sister after revealing her marriage to The Repair Shop star had ended. This comes amid cryptic claims by her sister Teresa Zbozen of 'keeping secrets' and using 'code words' during their relationship.

What nationality is Jay Blades? ›

Jay Blades
Jay Blades MBE
BornJason Blades 21 February 1970 Brent, London, England
NationalityBritish
OccupationFurniture restorer • television personality
Years active2017–present
3 more rows

How long has Jay Blades been married? ›

The Repair Shop presenter Jay Blades has split from his wife after 18 months of marriage, it has been revealed. The TV star's other half Lisa-Marie Zbozen, a fitness trainer, announced the news on social media in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Does Jay Blades have a daughter? ›

When did Jay Blades learn to read? ›

Presenter revealed he couldn't read in his 30s

The Repair Shop star Jay Blades has opened up learning to read at the age of 51. The TV presenter and furniture restorer struggled with reading as a child and never shared that he couldn't read until he was in his 30s.

Who is Jay Blades dating? ›

The couple got married on 22 November 2022, with just 15 guests - not including Lisa's father, who was ill, and Jay's daughter Zola and sons Dior and Levi - joining the couple for the intimate outdoor ceremony in Barbados. The Repair Shop's Jay Blades marries Lisa Zbozen in a romantic wedding.

What car do Jay Blades drive? ›

I'm delighted to say that I'm partnering up with Volvo UK , a brand I have been a fan of all my life. I have been driving their Volvo XC90 Recharge plug-in hybrid for a couple of months now and as you can see, I've made good use of the car.

Do Jay Blades have a gold tooth? ›

The six-foot three dapper furniture restorer with the flat cap, bold glasses and gold tooth is a truly unique presence on mainstream television.

Why do Jay Blades wear a hat? ›

It was nice to hide behind her if you didn't want to be seen. There's a couple of good reasons why Mr Blades would wear a cap indoors. As protection of airborne dust and particles when he's working, but more probably it's the fact that in the hirsute department, he's somewhat challenged.

Who did Jay Blades marry? ›

The Repair Shop star Jay Blades' wife of eighteen months Lisa-Marie Zbozen confirmed they were ending their marriage this week, but there were a couple of telltale signs that all was not right behind the scenes.

When did Jay of Repair Shop get married? ›

Repair Shop star Jay Blades' wife has announced the end of their short-lived marriage. The 54-year-old presenter married Lisa Zbozen in the grounds of a beachfront villa in Barbados on November 22 2022.

Is Jay out of The Repair Shop married? ›

The wife of Jay Blades, the Repair Shop presenter, says that she has packed her bags and left their marriage. Lisa Marie Zbozen shared an emotional post on social media, in which she alleged: “The world got the best parts of my husband, and over time, I got a whole lot of everything else.”

Is Jay from the workshop married? ›

Jay Blades married his wife Lisa Zbozen in November 2022, one year after he proposed with a unique ring crafted by his fellow star on The Repair Shop. The furniture restorer and television presenter, 53, tends to keep his social media posts exclusively for updates about the show or his Sunday School teachings.

Does Jay Blades have a wife? ›

READ MORE Jay Blades' wife Lisa says she 'wanted marriage to work so much' but 'couldn't be enough' as she sobs in emotional social media message and thanks fans for support.

Where does Jay Blades live now? ›

The Repair Shop star now lives in Wolverhampton with his wife Lisa Zbozen. Share this: Avid fans of The Repair Shop will know that Jay Blades lives in Wolverhampton with his beautiful wife, fitness trainer Lisa Zbozen, whom he married in November 2022.

Did Jay Blades get married? ›

During the ceremony, the couple exchanged bespoke wedding rings which had been created by The Repair Shop's Richard Talman - which Lisa said was one of her favourite touches. It was Jay's second wedding following his marriage to ex-wife Jade. The former couple share 17-year-old daughter Zola together and split in 2015.

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