The former chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University and host of BBC’s The Repair Shop Jay Blades has been charged with controlling and coercive behaviour against his wife.

The TV presenter was charged with engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour towards his estranged wife Lisa Zbozen today, Friday, September 13, including physical and emotional abuse, court documents show.

The couple married in the grounds of a beachfront villa in Barbados in November 2022.

West Mercia Police said the 54-year-old appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court this morning and was bailed to appear at Worcester Crown Court on Friday, October 11.  

Blades, who rose to fame on the BBC series about restoring broken or damaged family heirlooms, studied criminology and philosophy at Buckinghamshire New University in High Wycombe in the early 2000s.

He was appointed the university’s first chancellor last year after accepting on the condition that BNU reinstate its furniture restoration course and received an honorary doctorate at the same time.

Speaking in 2023, he said: “To become the first chancellor for a university that’s shaped the person I am today, and on top of that to receive an honorary doctorate, is a real wow moment. I know that together BNU and I are going to achieve amazing things.”

However, a spokesperson for the university confirmed that he had stepped down from the role following the charges brought against him. 

They said: "Jay Blades MBE has resigned from his role as Chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University with immediate effect.

"We thank Jay for his loyal service to the University and will be making no further comment."