THE Repair Shop’s Jay Blades will learn to read in a new TV show after keeping it a secret for years.
The furniture restorer, who shot to fame on the much-loved programme in 2017, is due to take part in a new BBC One and iPlayer documentary called Jay Blades: Learning To Read At 51.
The telly star left school with no qualifications and never communicated his reading ability to anyone until his 30s.
The show will follow Jay’s journey as he gets one to one help from a charity to improve his literacy skills.
He will also meet with other people in the same boat as him and look back on the key moments in his life that have shaped his reading into what they are today.
Speaking about the upcoming documentary, Jay said: “Learning to read is going to be the toughest challenge for me.
“Learning to read is going to be the toughest challenge for me
Jay Blades
“On this journey I’ll be meeting people who can’t read, for whatever reason, and hopefully helping them.
“I’d love this film to inspire the millions of other adults in the same situation as me.”
Executive producer Dan Baldwin believes that the documentary will help others who struggle with their literacy skills.
He added: “This is going to be a gargantuan task for Jay.
“He will have to work incredibly hard and this film will see Jay completely out of his comfort zone.
“This will be an inspiring, influential and important film for many people who struggle to read.”
Jay Blades: Learning To Read At 51 isn’t the only show that he’ll be starring in over the next few months.
Back in June it was revealed that BBC bosses were left fuming as the favourite was poached by Channel 5 for another programme.
The new series, The Streets Where I Lived, Jay will return to the home he grew up in, as well as the neighbourhood he previously called home.
And it’s been reported that bosses are annoyed they keep trying to take their stars.
“They keep signing our presenters,” a source told The Mirror, branding the rival Channel ‘BBC Lite’.
“They need to create a separate identity.”
Speaking about the show, Jay said: “I can’t wait to go back to my old neighbourhood and discover the history on its doorstep.
“The places I visit are the buildings, streets, and communities that made me the man I am today.”
You will be able to watch Jay Blades: Learning To Read At 51 on BBC One or BBC iPlayer
