ONE of the most popular faces on TV is set to bring his Sunday Times-bestselling life story to Oswestry next month.
Jay Blades, who has shot to fame as the face of the much-loved Repair Shop on BBC television, will be appearing at the Lion Quays Hotel, in conjunction with Booka Bookshop, on Tuesday, May 10.
Jay, who knits together the plethora of experts that bring the joy of repairing and re-uniting items thought long-lost, will be telling the story of his hard upbringing and also the brave decision of learning how to read at the age of 51.
A Booka spokesman said they were delighted to be welcoming him to the town.
They said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Jay to Oswestry to celebrate the paperback publication of Making It, his Sunday Times bestselling memoir about beating all the odds and turning things round when it all seems hopeless.
“Jay is a modern furniture restorer, up-cycler and eco designer devoted to sustainability, social enterprise and inclusion.
“His personality, enthusiasm, and empathy shines brightly on our TV screens as the host of The Repair Shop.
“However his cheery, sympathetic demeanour masks an upbringing full of challenges.
“In his book, Jay shares the details of his life, from his childhood growing up sheltered and innocent on a council estate in Hackney, to his adolescence when he was introduced to violent racism at secondary school, to being brutalised by police as a teen.
“His dyslexia proved severely challenging throughout his education.
“He eventually became an upholsterer, fixing furniture and other household objects, and so cultivating the skills that would later help secure him the role of welcoming people to The Repair Shop
“Jay reflects on his strength, weakness and what it means to be a man.
“He questions the boundaries society places on male vulnerability and how letting himself be nurtured helped him flourish into the person he is today.
“An expert at giving a second life to cherished items, Jay’s positivity, pragmatism and kindness shine through these pages and show that with care and love, anything can be mended.”
Anyone wishing to book tickets can do so at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-jay-blades-tickets-302628960367 with prices varying from £15-25.
Doors open at 6.45pm for a 7.30pm start.
For more about Booka, head to https://www.bookabookshop.co.uk/
