The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades reveals biggest repair job was on himself after being left feeling suicidal

THE Repair Shop’s Jay Blades has said his biggest repair job was himself in a candid interview on The One Show. Jay was left close to tears after he discussed his mental health struggles with Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas. During his candid interview, Jay Blades talked about his new book and memoir named ‘Making […]

THE Repair Shop’s Jay Blades has said his biggest repair job was himself in a candid interview on The One Show.

Jay was left close to tears after he discussed his mental health struggles with Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas.

During his candid interview, Jay Blades talked about his new book and memoir named ‘Making It.’

Jay bravely shared his struggle with mental health and how he hit rock bottom after losing his busines and splitting from his wife.

He began: “The biggest repair job we have done on The Repair Shop is me.

“The community has helped me get back to my normal self because five or six years ago I felt down and I was in a really dark place and I hit rock bottom.”

He added: “Mental health-wise I couldn’t see tomorrow. It was a case of, there was no future for me.

“And when you can’t see tomorrow, there’s no need to exist.”

Talking about his dark moments, he recalled getting “in the car and just drove with no destination.”

He continued he “slept in a car park for about a week.”

But then he “found strength by finding my vulnerability” and cried for the first time ever at 45 years old.

In his book, Jay detailed how he has the reading ability of an 11-year-old.

Jay wrote about how his university lecturer who really helped him and thanked him in his memoir.

Hosts Alex and Jermaine had a special surprise for Jay as the university lecturer Dr Martin Patrick left him a video message.

In the message, Martin said: “Congratulations on your book. I sincerely hope everything you worked for in your life comes true.”

Jay replied with: “Wow.”

And Alex observed: “It’s made you speechless!”

Alex praised Jay for his bravery and said his memoir was an “incredible read” and “very inspiring.”

Fans also praised Jay for his openness.

One said: “Jay comes across as a really nice bloke. His book sounds very interesting and worth checking out.”

Another said: “Brilliant show tonight! Jay is such an inspiring person and I can’t wait to get his book.”

The One Show airs on weekdays at 7pm on BBC One. The Repair Shop airs Wednesdays at 8pm on BBC One.