Filming on the new series of The Repair Shop has begun without host Jay Blades while he continues to take a break.

The BBC show is filmed at the Weald and Downland Living Museum, an open-air heritage museum in the village of Singleton, near Chichester.

Its 54-year-old host announced last month that he would be taking a social media hiatus following the death of his uncle.

He has been a regular on The Repair Shop since it first aired in 2017. 

The Argus: Jay Blades with King Charles when he was on an episode of the showJay Blades with King Charles when he was on an episode of the show (Image: Ian West/PA)

In a video shared on Instagram, he said: “I’ve just been to my uncle’s funeral. it really affected me.

“I feel a little bit messed up. 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.”

Blades said he was taking time off to “take stock and just relax”, but confirmed he would be “back soon”.

“Please, take care of each other, take care of yourself, and I’ll see you guys soon,” he added.

The Argus: The Weald and Downland Museum in Singleton, near ChichesterThe Weald and Downland Museum in Singleton, near Chichester (Image: Poliphilo)

Blades found fame on the restoration programme, which sees members of the public take worn-out family heirlooms to be restored by a team of experts, and has starred on the show since its launch in 2017.

Last week Blades’ wife Lisa Zbozen announced the end of their short-lived marriage.

The couple married in the grounds of a beachfront villa in Barbados on November 22 2022.

A spokesman for Blades confirmed he is continuing to take some time off.