Jay Blades Net Worth, Wife, Biography, Parents, Ethnicity & Height

Jay Blades net worth stands at an impressive $5 million in 2026, making him one of Britain’s most successful furniture restorers. The friendly TV presenter went from working in factories to becoming one of the most loved faces on British television. His journey from struggling with dyslexia to hosting The Repair Shop proves that anyone can achieve their dreams with hard work.

This article covers everything about Jay Blades including his marriages, his childhood with 26 siblings, and his career highlights. You will learn about his height, his parents, his work on Money for Nothing and Home Fix, and the charity efforts that earned him an MBE. We also explore his ethnicity, his educational struggles, and how he turned furniture restoration into a multimillion dollar television career.

Bio

Category	Details
Real Name	Jason Blades MBE
Date of Birth	21st February 1970
Age	56 years old (as of 2026)
Birthplace	Brent, London, England
Height	6 feet 1 inch (1.85m)
Weight	201 pounds
Nationality	British
Ethnicity	English Black with Barbadian descent
Profession	Furniture restorer, Television presenter
Famous Shows	The Repair Shop, Money for Nothing, Home Fix
Net Worth	$5 million (2026)
First Wife	Jade (divorced)
Second Wife	Lisa Zbozen (m. 2022, sep. 2024)
Children	Daughter Zola Blades, two sons
Awards	MBE (2021)

Jay Blades Net Worth, Ethnicity & Religion

Jay Blades has built an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2026 through his successful television career. The Repair Shop host earns most of his income from BBC shows, but he also makes money through book sales and speaking events. His autobiography “Making It” published by Pan Macmillan in 2021 added significantly to his overall earnings.

The furniture restorer comes from English Black ethnicity with strong Barbadian descent through his family roots. His mother Barbara Cumberbatch raised him in the Caribbean community of Brent, London, which shaped his cultural identity. While some sources suggest he follows Christianity, Jay has never publicly confirmed his religious beliefs in any interviews.

Net Worth & Background Overview

Category	Details
Net Worth (2026)	$5 million
Ethnicity	English Black
Descent	Barbadian
Nationality	British
Religion	Christianity (unconfirmed)
Main Income	The Repair Shop, TV hosting

Parents, Wife & Children

Jay Blades calls his biological father “The Man Who Contributed Towards My Birth” instead of using his actual name. This tells you everything about their relationship. His mother, Mrs. Barbara Cumberbatch, raised him mostly on her own in London during tough times.

The story gets wild when you learn about his siblings. Jay has a brother named Justin who he grew up with. But later in life, he discovered his father had 26 more children with different women across several countries. Imagine finding out you have 26 half siblings you never knew existed.

Jay married twice in his life. His first wife Jade helped him start the charity Out of the Dark in High Wycombe. They taught young people furniture restoration skills together before their marriage ended in divorce. His second wife Lisa Zbozen married him in 2022, but they separated by 2024 after just two years together.

Jay Blades children:

• Daughter Zola Blades from his first marriage with Jade
• Two sons from earlier relationships before his marriages
• All three children stay mostly private and away from media attention

His daughter Zola Blades occasionally appears in his social media posts. Jay speaks warmly about being a father despite his own dad not being present. He tries to break that cycle by staying involved in his children’s lives.

The furniture restorer credits his mother Barbara Cumberbatch for keeping the family together. She worked hard to provide for Jay and his brother Justin in Brent London. Her Caribbean community connections later helped when he started his charity work.

Early Life & Educational Details

Jason Blades was born on 21st February 1970 in Brent, London, where he faced serious struggles growing up. His early life was filled with challenges that would have broken many people. But these hard times actually shaped him into the resilient television presenter we know today.

School was incredibly difficult for young Jay because he had dyslexia that nobody caught. Teachers thought he was lazy or not trying hard enough. He left school feeling like a failure and started working in factories doing labour jobs just to survive.

His adult education journey changed everything when he joined Buckinghamshire New University to study criminology. At age 31, he finally discovered he had the reading level of an 11 year old child. This explained why school had been such torture for him.

Jay Blades early life struggles:

• Worked multiple factory jobs in his twenties
• Performed hard labour work to make ends meet
• Dealt with undiagnosed dyslexia throughout childhood
• Left school without understanding why learning was so hard
• Felt shame about his reading abilities for years

The Desert Island Discs interview on BBC Radio 4 in 2022 revealed more about his painful past. He opened up about feeling lost and worthless before discovering furniture restoration. This craft gave him purpose when nothing else made sense.

Studying criminology at Buckinghamshire New University opened doors he never imagined. The university later made him their first Chancellor in May 2022. From struggling student to leading the school shows how far he has come.

His dyslexia story inspires thousands of people who face similar learning challenges. Jay proves that different does not mean less capable. He turned what seemed like a weakness into part of his unique strength as a furniture restorer and TV host.

Height, Weight, Hair & Eyes

Jay Blades stands tall at 6 feet 1 inch, which equals 1.85 meters in height. His presence fills the room when he walks into The Repair Shop barn. This height advantage helps him work on larger furniture pieces during restoration projects.

He weighs approximately 201 pounds and maintains a sturdy build perfect for his hands on work. Furniture restoration requires physical strength to move heavy cabinets, tables, and chairs. His frame suits the demanding nature of the craft he loves so much.

Physical appearance details:

• Completely bald head that has become his signature look
• Dark brown eyes that show warmth and kindness on camera
• Strong build from years of physical restoration work
• Casual style usually featuring denim and comfortable clothes
• Friendly smile that puts guests at ease on his shows

His bald head and dark brown eye color make him instantly recognizable to fans. Many viewers love his down to earth appearance that matches his personality. He does not try to look like a fancy TV star, which people find refreshing.

The British nationality holder dresses practically for his work rather than for fashion. You will typically see him in jeans, casual shirts, and sturdy shoes on The Repair Shop. This authentic style reflects his working class roots and keeps him relatable to regular viewers.

Physical Appearance Summary

Feature	Details
Height	6 feet 1 inch (1.85m)
Weight	201 pounds
Hair	Bald
Eye Color	Dark Brown
Build	Strong and sturdy

Career Journey

Jay Blades started his furniture restoration career by launching Out of the Dark charity in High Wycombe with his first wife Jade. This organization taught disadvantaged young people valuable furniture skills while giving them hope for better futures. Friends and the Caribbean community rallied around this cause.

His big break into television came when producers discovered his natural talent for explaining restoration techniques. The Repair Shop became a ratings winner on BBC, turning Jay into a household name across Britain. Viewers loved watching him breathe new life into treasured family heirlooms.

Major television shows and projects:

• The Repair Shop on BBC (main hosting role)
• Money for Nothing (presenter)
• Jay Blades Home Fix (solo series)
• Jay and Dom’s Home Fix (co hosted with Dom Chinea)
• David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed with Sir David Jason (2024)
• Dame Judi and Jay The Odd Couple on Channel 4 (2024)
• Jay Blades A Country House Through Time on Channel 5

The MBE award in 2021 recognized his contributions to craft and his community work. This honor from the British government confirmed his impact went beyond entertainment. He helps preserve traditional furniture restoration skills for future generations.In 2021, he became a trustee of The Black Fund, a charity started by singer Leigh Anne Pinnock. 

August 2022 brought another achievement when he became co chair of the Heritage Crafts Association. This role lets him advocate for traditional crafts across Britain. He uses his television platform to show young people that working with your hands is valuable and rewarding.

The 15 part show on BBC Two explored crafts and repairs across the country. Then working with Dame Judi Dench on Channel 4 showed his ability to connect with acting legends.Buckinghamshire New University naming him as their first Chancellor was deeply meaningful.

Key achievements and recognition:

• Received MBE for services to craft (2021)
• Published bestselling autobiography (2021)
• Named Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University (2022)
• Appointed co chair of Heritage Crafts Association (2022)
• Works with The Black Fund charity as trustee
• Hosts multiple successful BBC shows

Jay continues producing content that educates and entertains millions. His warm personality and genuine passion for furniture make every episode special. Whether fixing a broken chair or exploring British history, he brings authenticity that viewers trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jay Blades net worth in 2026?

Jay Blades has an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2026. His income comes from hosting The Repair Shop, other TV shows, book sales, and speaking engagements about furniture restoration.

Who is Jay Blades married to now?

Jay Blades is currently not married. He separated from his second wife Lisa Zbozen in 2024 after marrying her in 2022. His first wife was Jade, with whom he started the Out of the Dark charity.

How tall is Jay Blades from The Repair Shop?

Jay Blades stands 6 feet 1 inch tall, which is 1.85 meters. He weighs approximately 201 pounds and has a bald head with dark brown eyes.

What is Jay Blades real name?

His real name is Jason Blades MBE. He goes by Jay Blades professionally on all his television shows and public appearances.

Does Jay Blades have dyslexia?

Yes, Jay Blades has dyslexia that was not diagnosed until he was 31 years old. He discovered he had the reading level of an 11 year old while studying criminology at Buckinghamshire New University.

How many children does Jay Blades have?

Jay Blades has three children. He has a daughter named Zola Blades from his first marriage and two sons from earlier relationships.

Conclusion

Jay Blades proves that your past does not determine your future. From struggling with undiagnosed dyslexia in Brent London to becoming an MBE holding television presenter, his journey inspires millions. His $5 million net worth in 2026 reflects years of hard work in furniture restoration and broadcasting.His charity Out of the Dark helped countless young people learn valuable skills.

Through books, TV shows, and his role as Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, he continues giving back.His English Black ethnicity and Barbadian descent connect him to diverse communities. At 6 feet 1 inch tall with his signature bald look, he is instantly recognizable.

His story teaches us that everyone deserves a second chance at education and success. From reading at an 11 year old level at age 31 to leading a university shows remarkable growth. Jay turned his passion for fixing broken furniture into fixing broken lives, including his own.