BBC Presenter Jay Blades Charged with Two Counts of Rape

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Television presenter Jay Blades, widely known for fronting the BBC’s hit programme The Repair Shop, has been charged with two counts of rape, West Mercia Police confirmed on Monday. The 55-year-old, originally from Claverley in Shropshire, is expected to appear before magistrates next week.

Blades, who rose to fame in 2017 as the face of the sentimental restoration series, will appear at Telford Magistrates’ Court on August 13, 2025, to face the charges. Authorities have confirmed that the allegations are separate from an earlier case involving accusations of controlling and coercive behaviour.

In a formal statement, a spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: “Jason Blades, 55, of Claverley in Shropshire, has been charged with two counts of rape. He is due to appear at Telford magistrates’ court on August 13, 2025.”

These latest charges come amid heightened attention on the conduct of male broadcasters and presenters in the UK, with several high-profile names facing scrutiny. Blades is also currently awaiting trial for the aforementioned coercive behaviour charge, which he denies. According to official court listings, a pre-trial review is scheduled at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday.

Blades, a former furniture restorer and community advocate, became popular on British television through The Repair Shop, a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) series that celebrates skilled craftsmanship and emotional storytelling. Produced by Ricochet, a company under Warner Bros. Discovery, the show has seen visits from notable figures, including King Charles III, who appeared during his time as the Prince of Wales, and Dame Judi Dench.

Blades and Dame Judi later collaborated on Dame Judi and Jay: The Odd Couple, which aired on Channel 4. His public profile continued to grow with guest spots on Celebrity MasterChef and The Great Celebrity Bake Off. In 2020, Blades co-founded Hungry Jay Media alongside Hungry Bear Media, the company behind BBC titles such as Gladiators and Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel.

Despite his previous popularity, Blades has not been seen on The Repair Shop since 2023. When approached regarding the charges, the BBC declined to comment, citing ongoing legal proceedings. A spokesperson said it would not be “appropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”

The development comes at a time when the British media industry is confronting broader concerns about presenter conduct. Recently, MasterChef hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode were removed from the programme after an independent inquiry upheld allegations of inappropriate behavior. Wallace later issued an apology for his use of “inappropriate language,” while denying any further wrongdoing. Torode was alleged to have used racially offensive language, including the n-word, though he claimed to have no recollection of doing so.

As the legal process unfolds, Blades’ future in broadcasting remains uncertain. His case is likely to attract considerable public interest due to his profile and the ongoing reckoning around accountability in the UK’s entertainment sector.