The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades lands new show with British acting royalty in new partnership nobody saw coming
JAY Blades has formed a surprising double act with a national treasure for a brand new show.
Jay, 54, a furniture restorer and television presenter, is perhaps best known as the foreman on beloved series The Repair Shop.
Dame Judi & Jay: The Odd Couple, a one-off Channel 4 programme, sees the star team up with Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench.
Although born nearly four decades apart, the pair developed a friendship for life after a chance meeting three years ago.
Keen to learn more about each other’s lives, the show follows Jay and Dame Judi as they embark on a journey together.
In particular, exploring the places and people who have shaped their respective backgrounds.
Along the whistle-stop tour down memory lane, they uncover secrets from each other’s past, all while sharing funny and heartwarming stories.
Their travels take the screen legends to places such as London and Stratford-upon Avon.
Some of the stops include Ridley Road Market and The Old Vic theatre.
Jay said: “To learn about a new friend’s past really solidifies the future of your friendship.
“Going down memory lane with someone dear to you is something I would urge everyone to do.
“This show has given me memories and a friendship I will cherish forever.”
Dame Judi added: “Sometimes if you’re very lucky you get to meet someone and find you’re totally on the same wavelength.
“What fun I had filming this programme with Jay, sharing memories of our past, both so different, finding we have the same sense of humour.
“I could have gone on filming for days.”
The documentary is directed and produced by Tom Green for Hungry Jay Media.
Although as it happens, this is not the first time Jay has teamed up with a British acting icon.
He collaborated with Only Fools and Horses star Sir David Jason for BBC series David and Jay’s Touring Toolshed, which aired earlier this year.
The BBC format saw Jay and Sir David tour the UK where they visited a variety of fairs, rallies and vintage festivals to help people take their crafts to the next level.
Dame Judi & Jay: The Odd Couple will air on Channel 4.
