Inside Jay Blades’ week from hell as wife reveals she has left him after 18 months of marriage and uncle is stabbed to death in neighbour dispute
Repair Shop star Jay Blades has had a terrible week after revealing the tragic death of his uncle, just days before his wife Lisa Zbozen announced she had left him.
The grieving presenter, 54, took to Instagram on Monday where he revealed he had just attended his uncle’s funeral following his death a few weeks ago.
Jay’s beloved uncle was reportedly stabbed to death by a neighbor after a long-running dispute over a shared alley.
His wife Lisa on Thursday said she left him in an emotional social media post.
Fitness instructor Lisa Marie Zbozen, 43, said she has left the 54-year-old TV star, whom she married in November 2022.
The Repair Shop star Jay Blades has had a week from hell after revealing the tragic death of his uncle before his wife Lisa Zbozen announced she had left him
In a statement on Instagram, Lisa said: ‘I don’t know how to say this because it’s still very raw’
In a statement on Instagram, Lisa said: ‘I’ve been quiet so far but the papers seem to be picking up this story but some parts have definitely been missed so it’s forced me to…
‘This was the entire message on a private forum:
“I don’t know how to say this because it’s still very raw.
“I should probably be really angry, but I’m just incredibly sad about the whole thing right now.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much.
‘I wanted my husband to love me and keep me safe, and I would love him right back, but it just got worse and worse until I packed a bag with a few things and I left.
‘Anyway, that’s why there haven’t been any new training sessions [workouts].
‘(I would never miss a wkout [workout] – I would do it barefoot and naked on the street if I had to).’
Fitness instructor Lisa Marie Zbozen, 43, said she has left the TV star, 54, whom she married in November 2022 (seen last September)
In another post, she said, “I have to admit I’m crying as I type this because I can’t believe this is even real. I hope you don’t mind if I take a few days to make sense of my life, as I’m currently stuck in a spare room with a few essentials.
‘I don’t know what else to say. All my love, A very heartbroken Lisa-Marie x.’
The next Repair Shop episode airs on the BBC on May 15 at 8pm.
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Jay and BBC has been approached for comment.
It comes after Jay’s beloved uncle was allegedly stabbed to death by a neighbor on a quiet residential street following a long-running dispute over a shared alley, MailOnline revealed this week.
The Repair Shop star announced on Monday that he would be taking time away from social media to deal with his grief following the death of his uncle, telling fans that the shocking death had left him feeling ‘confused’.
In a statement on Instagram, Lisa said: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much. I wanted my husband to love me and keep me safe.”
Richard Brathwaite, 72, was found dead on Cromwell Road in Wembley at around lunchtime on March 21 after his neighbor Derek Brown, who lived on the same street, allegedly stabbed him with a knife.
Brown, also 72, is said to have launched the attack on Braithwaite after accusing the victim of leaving items in the shared alleyway between their homes.
During the fatal incident, Mr Blades’ 71-year-old aunt Annetta was also injured, suffering cuts to her head and face.
Mr Brathwaite’s funeral is said to have taken place on Monday, with the BBC presenter paying tribute to his uncle, who he called a ‘really, super nice guy’, adding that the alleged murder ‘should never have happened to him’.
In an emotional video, still wearing his black suit after the service, he told his Instagram followers: ‘I hope you’re all doing well. This is a kind of public service announcement. I just went to my uncle’s funeral […].
‘Really, super nice guy, this shouldn’t have happened to him, but it really affected me. I feel a little confused. So what I plan to do is this.
It comes just a day after it was revealed that Jay’s beloved uncle (seen) was allegedly stabbed to death by a neighbor following a long-running dispute over a shared alley.
In an emotional video, still wearing his black suit after the service, he told his Instagram followers: ‘This looks like a public service announcement. “I just went to my uncle’s funeral.”
‘I’m going to take a break from social media and come back soon. I’m going to get some therapy and just relax. Please take care of each other, take care of yourselves, and I will see you again soon.”
Emergency services were called to the north London property in March but tragically Mr Brathwaite was pronounced dead at 12.30pm. A man was later arrested outside Wembley police station.
A special post-mortem examination conducted two days later revealed the victim’s cause of death: stab wound.
On March 26, a man appeared in court where he was charged with murder, wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC told the Old Bailey in March that the alleged murder took place following a ‘long-running neighborly dispute between the suspect and the deceased’.
Judge Sarah Whitehouse QC entered a plea on June 11 and scheduled a three-week preliminary trial from January 27 next year.
Neighbors living on the street told MailOnline they did not know much about Mr Braithwaite, who ‘kept to himself’.
Jay did not reveal any details about the tragedy, but said he had to step away from his social media as the shock left him feeling ‘confused’ (photo on The Repair Shop)
Mr Blades’ video, captioned ‘Good evening everyone, see you soon’, sparked an outpouring of support from fans and those within the television community.
BBC and ITV presenter Julia Bradbury wrote: ‘Sorry to hear this, Jay. Thank you for taking some time.”
Channel 4’s First Dates star Fred Sirieix posted a red heart emoji, while 5News presenter Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije said: ‘Take care bro. Condolences.’
BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin added: ‘I’m so sorry to hear this, sending you love xx’.