Repair Shop Presenter Jay Blades Pleads Not Guilty as Rape Case Listed for 2027 Trial
TV presenter Jay Blades has pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape, with a Crown Court judge warning that the case will not reach trial until late 2027 because of the severe backlog in the criminal courts.
Blades, best known for fronting the BBC series The Repair Shop, appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court via video link for a plea hearing in relation to the allegations. The 55‑year‑old spoke only to confirm his identity and to enter not guilty pleas to both charges.
The court was told that the case cannot be listed for trial until September 2027, with the judge describing the delays facing Crown Courts as “chronic”. Blades remains on conditional bail while the case progresses through the system.
The charges and pleas
During the short hearing, the indictment alleging two counts of rape was put to Blades. He replied “not guilty” to each count. No detailed evidence was opened at this stage, in line with standard practice for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place in England. Further particulars of the case are expected to be set out closer to trial, subject to any reporting restrictions that may apply at that time.
Court backlog pushes trial into 2027
Judge Anthony Lowe told the court that, despite the profile of the defendant and the impact of the case on his work, there was no earlier slot available in the Crown Court list. The judge said the listing position reflected the wider pressures on the criminal justice system, with serious cases now routinely being set down years in advance.
The trial has been provisionally listed to start on 20 September 2027 and is expected to last up to four weeks. A further case management hearing is scheduled for 2026 to deal with legal directions, evidence and any applications from the prosecution or defence. Blades has been told he does not need to attend that administrative hearing in person.
Background to the case
Blades, of Claverley in Shropshire, first appeared before magistrates in 2025, where the seriousness of the allegations meant the case was sent directly to the Crown Court. He has since stepped back from his presenting duties on The Repair Shop, a programme he has fronted since 2017 and which has made him a familiar face on British television.
The court heard that the ongoing proceedings have had a significant impact on his ability to work, but the judge stressed that listing decisions must be made in line with the overall demands on the court, rather than the personal circumstances of any individual defendant.
Presumption of innocence and reporting
Under UK law, all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges against Jay Blades are allegations only. The question of guilt or innocence will be determined by a jury after hearing the evidence at trial.
As the case is active, reporting is subject to the Contempt of Court Act and any specific orders made by the judge. That means media outlets must avoid publishing material that could prejudice a future jury or undermine the fairness of the trial.
Further details of the evidence, including witness accounts and legal arguments, are expected to emerge during the trial itself. Until then, the court has emphasised that the proceedings must follow due process, regardless of the public profile of the defendant.
The case will return to Shrewsbury Crown Court for the case management hearing in 2026, ahead of the full trial currently scheduled for September 2027.