Jay Blades appeared at Telford Magistrates’ Court today, just days after being charged by West Mercia Police with two counts of rape

TV presenter Jay Blades appeared before a judge today charged with rape.

The Repair Shop star, 55, is alleged to have carried out two rapes between 2022 and 2024. He appeared via video-link at Telford magistrates’ court this morning.

Blades appeared on the court screen wearing a blue suit, sky blue shirt, black polka dot tie and spectacles. He gave his name as “Jason Blades” and confirmed his address and date of birth.

Blades separately faces a controlling or coercive behaviour charge between 2023 and last September. The star, from Claverley, Shrops, found fame on The Repair Shop, which he started presenting in 2017.

The proceedings lasted just six minutes (stock image) (
Image:
PA)

He stepped back from presenting the show last year. Blades also appeared on Celebrity MasterChef, Celebrity Bake Off and Comic Relief.

The dad-of-three presented the BBC’s Money For Nothing until 2020. Blades was made an MBE in 2021 and in 2022 featured in a documentary about learning to read aged 51.

Today’s court hearing lasted five minutes and Blades was granted conditional bail not to contact the alleged victim.

He will next appear at Shrewsbury Crown Court in September.