JAY Blades apologised to fans after cancelling a high-profile appearance to promote his new project.
The BBC furniture restorer recently announced he was taking a break from The Repair Shop.
Jay, 54, has been forced to take time out away from the National Television Award winning show following the breakdown of his marriage.
Now he dropped out of another high-profile appearance when he was set to take to the stage at Hay Festival.
At the Welsh festival, the TV presenter was supposed to share a conversation with journalist Sarfraz Manzoor in front of his many fans.
This was to promote his new book, Life Lessons: Wisdom And Wit From Life’s Ups And Downs.
In his new project, Jay reflected on his illustrious career as he shared inspirational thoughts for making the best of any life situation.
However, he was forced to pull out of the event as he continues to take time out of the spotlight and away from the hit show.
His team issued a statement, which read: “We wanted to confirm that as Jay Blades continues to take time out, he won’t be attending the session as advertised at this year’s Hay Festival.
“We’re sorry for any inconvenience or disappointment that this may have caused and we hope you enjoy the rest of the festival.”
In light of his lack of appearance, the festival confirmed that attendees will be refunded.
This comes after the breakdown of his marriage with fitness instructor Lisa Marie Zbozen.
Only 18-months after they tied the knot in a stunning Barbados ceremony, his wife confirmed to fans on Instagram the marriage was over.
In a lengthy post she wrote: “I probably should 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 hope you don’t mind if I just have a few days trying to figure out my life as I’m currently in a spare room with a few essentials.”
She added: “The world got the best parts of my husband. I got a whole lot of everything else.”
“I don’t know what else to say. All my love, a very broken Lisa-Marie x.”
On April 29, Jay said he was taking a break from social media following the funeral of his uncle, Richard Brathwaite, who was killed when he was allegedly stabbed to death in Wembley, back in March.
Earlier this month The Sun revealed that the beloved star was absent from filming for The Repair Shop as production resumed on the show.
The lead presenter temporarily ‘cut ties’ with bosses when he removed any mention of the programme from his main social media accounts.
When The Sun contacted Jay’s representative, he promptly added the show back into his social media bios that very same afternoon.
JAY AND LISA MARIE'S RELATIONSHIP
Jay got down on one knee with a ring he designed and was made by his co-star Richard Talman who works as a goldsmith on the show in 2021.
They tied the knot in a sunny Caribbean ceremony on November 2022 with just 15 guests attending.
Speaking to Hello! magazine about their special day, Jay, 52, said: “One word sums up the day: perfect.
“We had our closest family there, the weather held out and everything worked out so well.”
Lisa, 41, added: “Once you get to a certain age, you realise what’s actually important on the day – and that is having the people around you that love you for who you are.
“So we made the day our day.”
Jay was overcome with emotion during the ceremony.
The television presenter confessed: “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.”
Jay was previously married to his ex-wife Jade.
The pair, who split up in 2015, share daughter Zola, 15.
