Jay Blades, the former star of the BBC’s The Repair Shop, has been charged with two counts of rape. The charges follow a months-long inquiry into serious allegations made against the television presenter. Blades, widely regarded for his calm demeanour and hands-on restoration skills on screen, has seen his public image dramatically shift as legal proceedings begin to unfold.

West Mercia Police stated:

“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 13 August 2025.”

Blades first gained national attention in 2017 as the charismatic frontman of The Repair Shop, where he led a team restoring treasured family heirlooms in filmed sessions at a historic Sussex location. He gained further prominence through his charitable work, including projects linked to King Charles III, and was appointed an MBE in 2021.

Earlier in 2024, Blades had denied allegations of controlling or coercive behaviour made by his estranged wife, said to have taken place between January 2023 and September 2024. That case is due to go to trial later this month, following a hearing at Worcester Crown Court.

Blades built his career after founding the charity Out of the Dark, which trained disadvantaged youth in furniture restoration, and later launched Jay & Co to support disengaged communities. His warm screen presence on The Repair Shop turned him into a household name and a symbol of craftsmanship and compassion.

The BBC has not released a statement in response to the latest charges. Blades had already stepped back from presenting The Repair Shop in mid‑2024 when the initial allegations emerged.

He is expected to appear in court on 13 August. The separate coercive behaviour case is also scheduled for later this month.