JAY Blades’ new show away from The Repair Shop is just days away from its debut on a rival channel.

Jay, 54, a furniture restorer and television presenter, is best known as the foreman on the beloved BBC series The Repair Shop.

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But Dame Judi & Jay: The Odd Couple, is a one-off Channel 4 programme, which will see him team up with Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench.

Despite very different starts in life and career, and having been born nearly four decades apart, Dame Judy and Jay struck up a close friendship three years ago when they first met.

It has been revealed that the one-off show will air on Channel 4 on Sunday August 18 at 9pm. 

In it, the pair take a whistle-stop tour through each other's pasts, exploring the people and places who have shaped their perspectives on life.

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Their travels take the screen legends to places such as London, Stratford-upon Avon, Ridley Road Market and The Old Vic theatre where secrets are uncovered, and warm hearted stories revealed. 

Jay said: "Going down memory lane with someone dear to you is something I would urge everyone to do. This show has given me memories and a friendship I will cherish forever.”

Dame Judi added: “Sometimes if you’re very lucky you get to meet someone and find you’re totally on the same wavelength.

"What fun I had filming this programme with Jay, sharing memories of our past, both so different, finding we have the same sense of humour.

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"I could have gone on filming for days.” 

However, this is not the first time Jay has teamed up with a British acting icon.

He collaborated with Only Fools and Horses star Sir David Jason for BBC series David and Jay's Touring Toolshed, which aired earlier this year.

Thankfully, fans of The Repair Shop should not despair because he revealed today on his Instagram that a new series of The Repair Shop will return to the BBC on August 14. 

The teaser image shows Jay alongside his co-stars and was captioned with the words: “Good friends are like stars. You don’t always see them, but you know they’re always there.”

The Repair Shop experts

The Repair Shop premiered in 2017 and sees family heirlooms restored for their owners by numerous experts with a broad range of specialisms. Jay Blades acts as the foreman, with a talented team at work in the restoration process. Let's take a look at some of them.

• Jay Blades: Foreman of The Repair Shop and Furniture Restorer
• Will Kirk: Carpenter, Cabinet Maker and Wood Painter
• Steve Fletcher: Clock Restorer
• Suzie Fletcher: Saddle Maker and Leather Worker
• Dominic Chinea: Metal Worker and Signs Restorer
• Sonnaz Nooranvary: Upholstery Restorer
• Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell: Soft-toy Restorers
• Kirsten Ramsay: Ceramics Conservator
• Lucia Scalisi: Painting Conservator
• Brenton West: Antique Photography Specialist and Silversmith

Dame Judi & Jay: The Odd Couple will air on Sunday August 18 at 9pm on Channel 4.