The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades returns to social media after shock split from wife
THE Repair Shop star Jay Blades has made a grand return to social media after quitting Instagram amid his shock separation from his wife.
His new post marks the first time that Jay has taken to the platform in the seven weeks since his marriage split was announced.
The 54-year-old was confirmed to have split with fitness instructor Lisa Marie Zbozen after two years of marriage, earlier this year.
Now, in a defiant return to social media, he broke his silence with very poignant post.
Jay marked Windrush Day with a powerful post in tribute to his great aunt and grandmother.
He briefly addressed his absence from Instagram in the post before explaining why he felt the time was right to break his silence.
Alongside a family photo, Jay penned online: “Happy Windrush Day. I’ve taken a pause from social media and I’ve decided to come back on this day.
“Today is a celebration of the Windrush Generation as my Grandmother and my Great Aunt took that journey from Barbados to England.
“I don’t know if they understood the impact that they would have, in helping to rebuild the nation after the Second World War.
“I wanted to pay homage to all of the Windrush Generation, and say a very BIG thank you.”
He then went on to explain the Windrush Generation to his followers in the highly-educational post.
The Windrush Generation were a number of individuals from the Carribbean who were brought to the UK following the end of World War II to help rebuild the country after the devastating effects of the war.
As Jay discussed the “discrimination” they faced during the time, he added of their legacy: “They not only contributed to the economic growth of the UK but also brought vibrant cultural influences that have become integral to British identity.
“The courage and perseverance of my Grandmother and her peers are a testament to their enduring spirit and significant impact on the nation’s fabric and also to me.”
Jay’s heartfelt post comes amid a time of personal turmoil for the BBC presenter.
His wife revealed online that the pair had split last month.
In a shock statement announcing their split, Lisa said she felt “broken”.
She added: “The world got the best parts of my husband. I got a whole lot of everything else.”
She was inundated with messages of support and told well-wishers: “I’ve done everything right. Don’t worry. You have no idea how much I didn’t want this day to come.”
Asked how she planned to bounce back, she said: “I need to find the first step again.”
The fitness instructor added she “didn’t want this day to come”, and agreed she would need counselling over the split.