Jay Blades is a regular favourite on BBC show The Repair Shop, having starred on the show since it began in 2017. In addition to his TV work, the 50-year-old is also the founder of Jay & Co, a social enterprise that helps disadvantaged and disengaged groups.
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Since being on the show he's become a much-loved member of The Repair Shop family and it's spin-off programme, The Repair Shop: Fixing Britain. But what about his own family? When he's not on TV, the furniture restorer and successful businessman, can be found at home in Wolverhampton with his partner. Want to know more? Here's what we know...
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Jay's first wife
Jay met his ex-wife Jade while they were studying at university. Five years ago, however, the marriage broke down and he left their family home – moving to Wolverhampton.
The presenter has previously spoken candidly about "hitting rock bottom" and revealed the pressure was "too much". He told Radio Times: "I left the family home, gave the house to my ex-wife and just drove. I didn’t know where I was going."
His children
The presenter shares daughter Zola with ex-wife Jade, and recently shared a picture of her on his Instagram to celebrate her getting into drama school. He reportedly has two children from previous relationships who he rarely speaks about or shares photos of.
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Jay's second marriage
Jay married Lisa Zbozen in 2022, as they went to Barbados to tie the knot. The couple exchanged vows in front of just 15 guests in the grounds of a beachfront villa in Barbados on November 22.
© @jayblades InstagramSpeaking to HELLO!, Jay said: "I think the thing that was most emotional for me was actually saying the vows."
"It was almost like I had tunnel vision and I could only see Lisa there. And honestly, that's when it really hit me. I was like, 'We're really getting married now!' That's the only time I really got emotional."
Siblings
It seems Jay comes from a large family. The presenter recently revealed the fascinating story of when he discovered he is one of 26 children.
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, the 50-year-old told how he first met his father, who was described as a womaniser, when he was 21 years old. "He told me I had four other siblings but I then found out that wasn't true at all," he began, adding: "I have 25 in total, including six in America, two in Africa and three in Jamaica. I've met 11 of them and I am really close to my half-sister, Sophie."
© Photo: InstagramJay Blades' journey to The Repair Shop
Jay didn't have the easiest start to his career. Growing up in Hackney, east London, the presenter never considered a career in television, and he had left school at the age of 15. After doing a number of other jobs, he decided to turn to studying. "I wanted to set myself a challenge of doing something that I didn't like, which was school," he told the BBC.
After university, Jay set up a charity encouraging young people who struggled, like himself, academically to get involved with practical jobs. After learning how to restore furniture, he began teaching others and eventually became presenter of the popular show which is watched by over six million people.
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