TV star Jay Blades will face a trial in 2027 after denying two counts of rape.

The former host of BBC One's The Repair Shop appeared via videolink at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Wednesday morning, September 10.

Blades, 55, of Claverley in Shropshire, pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape during a plea hearing that lasted 23 minutes.

He was granted conditional bail and the judge adjourned the case for trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court on September 20, 2027.

A case management hearing was also set for the same court on May 15 next year, which Blades will not be required to attend in person.

Judge Anthony Lowe said the long wait for a trial date was due to a "backlog" of cases and he was unable to "bump" other cases out of the list to accommodate an earlier trial for Blades.

Defence c

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