Jay Blades, presenter of The Repair Shop, appeared in Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court today (13 September) after being charged with one count of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship.
According to court documents the family member was his wife, who announced on social media earlier this year that their relationship was over.
The couple had married in November 2022 in Barbados.
In a statement, West Mercia Police said: “54-year-old Jason Blades of Claverley in Wolverhampton has been charged with controlling and coercive behaviour.
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“He appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates Court this morning (Friday 13 September) and has been bailed to appear at Worcester Crown Court on Friday 11 October.”
Blades has presented the BBC show since 2017, which involves people bringing their precious but worn-out belongings into a workshop so they can be fixed up.
The Repair Shop presenter was made an MBE in 2022.
In her post on social media in May, Blades' estranged wife claimed that the relationship had 'been very abusive for a long time' and said she had called the police.
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She wrote: "I don’t know how to say this because it’s still really raw. My marriage has been very abusive for a long time & last weekend I finally left.
"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 thing’s & I left & went to the police."
She also wrote: "The world got the best parts of my husband, & over time, I got a whole lot of everything else. No matter how bad it got I still apologised & still tried to fix it, because I loved my husband, very much.
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"I just hope that by saying something, it will save it from happening to someone else in the future, or make someone else feel brave enough to speak up.
"Because, whoever you are, whatever your status, nothing gives you the right to put your hands on another person."
According to court documents the behaviour Blades has been charged with includes physical and emotional abuse.
An upcoming season of The Repair Shop is scheduled to be released on the BBC later this year, and on 26 December there is supposed to be a Christmas special as part of the show's output.
Joe Harker