The Repair Shop star Jay Blades has told how his uncle has been murdered - before saying he would take a break from social media.
Sporting his trademark flat cap and thick-rimmed glasses, Jay was a far cry from his usually sunny disposition as he told how he had recently attended his relative's funeral.
The presenter made the decision to leave social media taking to his Instagram account with an emotional video where the 54-year-old star explained his uncle had actually been murdered a handful of weeks ago.
"Hope you're all well. This is kind of like a public service announcement", Jay first declared, "I've just been to my uncle's funeral, he was murdered a few weeks ago. Really, super nice guy, shouldn't have happened to him, but it really affected me." He then then admitted the tragedy had had a devastating impact on him: "I feel a little bit messed up."
Jay Blades announced he'd be taking a break from social media after his uncle's funeral on Monday, April 29
The Repair Shop presenter revealed his uncle had been murdered several weeks ago (Getty Images for BAFTA)As a result, Jay has prioritised his well-being by signing off but he promised his absence would only be temporary. "So what I'm intending on doing is this... I'm coming off social media for a bit, and I'll be back in a bit. Going to go and get some therapy and just chill out", he explained, underlining the importance of "taking stock" after an ordeal.
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Jay concluded: "Please, take care of each other, take care of yourself, and I'll see you guys soon." Many of his 193k followers took to the comment section to express their well-wishes soon after. "So sorry to hear this news, Jay. Now take care of YOU. Long as it takes", one penned. "Jay, I’m so sorry to hear the tragic news about your uncle. My heart goes out to you and your family", another added.
Among the numerous individuals showing Jay support, BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin wrote a warm message of her own: "I’m so sorry to hear this, sending you love." While First Dates star Fred Sirieix chimed in with a red heart emoji. Elsewhere, 5News presenter Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije commented: "Look after you bro. So sorry for your loss."
Jay Blades, who has been at the helm of Repair Shop since 2017, returned to our screens for a thirteenth season of the popular program earlier this month on BBC One, introducing a new expert, conservator Rebecca Bissonnet. But while his TV career is nothing short of successful, he has opened up in the past about his mental health struggles, revealing he was once almost sectioned during a tough time.
Speaking on the Dish podcast, Jay recalled he was considered for the measure after a mental health breakdown in 2015, which followed his split from his first wife and the breakdown of their charity Out of the Dark. "Everything flopped for me. The business, the relationship, everything. It was a charity and we also had a business, and then I was running it with my ex-wife", he explained, reflecting on his move from High Wycombe to Wolverhampton that same year.
Jay eventually drove to a hotel in a confused state, where concerned staff took action to help him. He said when he "came back to the room and there was five people waiting for me. There was a psychiatric nurse, I think there was two of them, and then there was another really stern, like major, and then there were two police officers"
After a lengthy interview, Jay received the full support of his ex-wife, who was called to help him, leaving him to remember to take care of his mental health in his most troubled times.
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