Jay Blades' estranged wife shared cryptic messages on social media just hours before The Workshop host appeared in court accused of controlling and coercive behavior.
The television presenter allegedly made Lisa-Marie Zbozen fearful of violence on at least two occasions while in an intimate or family relationship.
During a brief hearing at Worcester Crown Court, he denied coercive control of his ex-wife over a 20-month period.
Just hours before her appearance, Zbozen, 43, shared on her fitness company's account a series of emotional posts about World Mental Health Day, which took place yesterday.
One of them, a poem she shared alongside two loving hearts, began: “I know you're sad, so I'm not going to tell you to have a good day.” Instead, I advise you to simply have a day.'
Jay Blades allegedly made Lisa-Marie Zbozen fearful of violence on at least two occasions during an intimate or family relationship. In the photo: Together in 2023
Just hours before her appearance, Ms Zbozen, 43, shared on her fitness company's account a series of emotional posts on topics related to World Mental Health Day, which took place yesterday.
During a brief hearing at Worcester Crown Court, he denied coercive control of his ex-wife over a 20-month period. Pictured: Arriving at Worcester Crown Court
A courtroom sketch of Jay Blades when he pleaded not guilty to controlling and coercive behavior
The only accusation relates to his fitness instructor's wife, Ms Zbozen (pictured), who announced on Instagram on May 2 that she had abandoned the marriage.
He continued by adding “don’t give up on yourself” and instilled in the reader that they will have “good days” in the future.
A second post talked about life feeling “hopeless and bleak” but encouraged that you “have the strength to overcome any battle within.”
Originally posted by the conscious quote account safespacemo, it read: 'October 10th is World Mental Health Day and we want to remind you that every day, not just today, your life matters.
'Even when things seem hopeless and bleak, don't give up. You came here for a reason.
'You have the strength to overcome whatever inner battle you are facing and remember, you are not alone.
“You have a purpose and are loved more than you know, even when your brain tells you otherwise.”
Blades, who was listed to appear under his full name of Jason Blades, wore a dark suit and his trademark black cap and thick-rimmed glasses when he arrived in court.
At the end of a 12-minute hearing, he was released on bail to return to court for trial, possibly on May 6 next year.
Blades, who was listed to appear under his full name of Jason Blades, wore a dark suit and his trademark black cap and thick-rimmed glasses when he arrived in court. In the photo: Arriving at court
At the end of a 12-minute hearing, Blades was released on bail to return to court for trial, possibly on May 6 next year. In the photo: a sketch of the Blades court
During the hearing, Judge James Burbidge KC refused a defense request to hear part of the hearing in private.
The Repair Shop star was charged last month with a single count of “controlling and coercive behavior” between January 1, 2023 and September 12, 2024. He has pleaded not guilty.
The only accusation concerns his fitness instructor's wife, Ms. Zbozen, who announced on Instagram on May 2 that she had abandoned the marriage.
The BBC show, which started on daytime TV in 2017 before moving to primetime, has seen Blades become one of the best-known faces on British TV. He was honored with an MBE in 2021.
No further details of the case were mentioned today. But the details of the charge stated that Blades “engaged in behaviour” that is allegedly “controlling or coercive, which had a serious effect on her”.
Namely, that it caused Lisa Marie Zbozen to fear, on at least two occasions, that violence would be used against her, at a time when he knew, or should have known, that the behavior would have a serious effect on Lisa Marie Zbozen. .
The judge removed the bail condition that Blades be subject to an electronic tag, which had not yet been installed due to 'failures' by the company responsible.
