The Repair Shop fans have demanded the show is ‘axed’ after it returned to screens on Tuesday night amid former host Jay Blades‘ charges of rape and coercive behaviour.
Blades, 55, had been the face of the fan-favourite BBC series since its debut in 2017, which sees members of the public enlist the help of its experts to restore their most precious possessions.
However, Jay sensationally quit the famous barn last year after he was charged with a single count of ‘controlling and coercive behaviour’ between January 1 2023 and September 12 2024.
This week, it emerged that the father-of-three had been charged with two separate counts of rape.
Despite this, The Repair Shop has continued without the star and aired its latest episode of the 14th series on Tuesday.
With Jay’s absence felt by fans, they’ve now called for the BBC to axe the series after almost a decade on air.
The Repair Shop fans have demanded the show is ‘axed’ after it returned to screens on Tuesday night amid former host Jay Blades ‘ charges of rape and coercive behaviour
Blades, 55, had been the face of the fan-favourite BBC series since its debut in 2017, which sees members of the public enlist the help of its experts to restore their most precious possessions
Despite Jay’s charges, The Repair Shop has continued without the star and aired its latest episode of the 14th series on Tuesday leaving fans calling for its cancellation
Taking to social media, one viewer said: ‘Could never see the point of him being in the Repair Shop he never restored anything but worn a new leather apron the show is better without him now.’
A second asked the broadcaster: ‘Surely you must take the Repair shop off now if the presenter is accused of physical rape.’
Another questioned: ‘They’re putting #therepairshop on? Jay Blades cut out?’
While a fourth commented: ‘Will the BBC be pulling repeats of The Repair Shop now?’
Police said in a statement on Monday night that Jay would appear at magistrates’ court next Wednesday after being charged with two counts of rape.
He is currently awaiting trial on a separate charge of coercive control of his estranged wife Lisa-Marie Zbozen.
He denied the allegation when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court last October.
Blades appeared at the same court on Tuesday for a pre-trial review hearing.
During the episode, fans watched as a pregnant woman broke down in tears when she saw her late father’s portrait restored
Ruth, from Nottinghamshire, entered the barn where she explained to expert Lucia Scalisi (pictured) she commissioned a portrait of her dad for his 52nd birthday a decade ago.
Her father, who was a beekeeper, had only passed away four months before filing took place, dying unexpectedly with bronchopneumonia
It had been painted on a piece of stone, though looked visibly worn down which led Lucia to ask what happened
When Ruth so the result of the restoration, she was left in tears as she sobbed in front of Lucia, telling her: ‘It’s stunning, thank you so much. That’s my dad’
During the latest episode of The Repair Shop, fans watched as a pregnant woman broke down in tears when she saw her late father’s portrait restored.
Ruth, from Nottinghamshire, entered the barn where she explained to expert Lucia Scalisi she commissioned a portrait of her dad for his 52nd birthday a decade ago.
It had been painted on a piece of stone, though looked visibly worn down which led Lucia to ask what happened.
Ruth explained: ‘He was so proud of it when I gave it to him that he put it outside by his front door for almost 12 years. It got a lot of rain, it got a lot of snow so naturally, it’s just deteriorated over time.’
She added that her father, who was a beekeeper, had only passed away four months before filing took place, dying unexpectedly with bronchopneumonia.
When Ruth so the result of the restoration, she was left in tears as she sobbed in front of Lucia, telling her: ‘It’s stunning, thank you so much. That’s my dad.’
The Repair Shop airs Tuesdays on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
