The comedian has confirmed his career change – and it’s not an April Fool

Jon Richardson in his new role as a media studies teacher in Waterloo Road

Comedian Jon Richardson has revealed the truth behind his decision to quit stand-up comedy – he’s joining BBC drama Waterloo Road. The comedian shocked fans earlier this week when he went on social media to share his plan of following his childhood dream of becoming a teacher.

But now it’s emerged that rather than joining a real school, he is swelling the staff room ranks of BBC1’s dramatised version. Fans will get to see him in action as media studies teacher for the first time later this year. Yesterday the dad-of-one explained: “I would say that joining Waterloo Road is a dream come true, but in truth most of my dreams about school revolve around not having done my homework or put on my uniform.

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“I wanted to be a teacher growing up so hopefully this role will put all those ambitions to bed, and I can stop telling my friends and family that I will be testing them on what I’ve been saying or telling audiences on tour that it’s their own time they’re wasting.”

Jon and his comedian wife Lucy Beaumont announced their separation last April(Image: UKTV)

Waterloo Road executive producer Cameron Roach said he felt like the show had “struck gold” with the casting of Jon, who recently split from his comedian wife Lucy Beaumont.

“Waterloo Road always strives to strike the right balance between big emotion and comedy. Not only does Jon have brilliant comic timing, his dramatic performance will surprise and delight his fans in equal measure. Next term promises laughter, tears and whole lot of mayhem.”

The funnyman joins former EastEnder Lindsey Coulson, who will continue in her role as Dame Stella Drake, Waterloo Road’s new head, and Jason Merrells, who reprised his role as Jack Rimmer as a guest in the most recent series and will return as a regular main cast member in the next series.

Filmed and set in Greater Manchester, Waterloo Road has cemented itself as one of the top performing shows on BBC iPlayer for under 35s.

Dame Stella has joined to save Waterloo Road from its notorious reputation as the ‘murder school’ following the fatal actions of Billy Savage (Olly Rhodes) and Steve Savage (Jason Manford) the previous term.

In his online video, Jon told his followers: “I have a little bit of news. I’ve obviously been taking a little bit of a break from stand-up and it’s really made me – want to carry on taking a break from stand-up.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about a diary entry that I found from 1997 – I was 14 years old, it says although I would love to be a stand-up comedian, I’ll probably end up being a teacher. And I’ve been thinking a lot about that.”

He added: “I’ve loved being a comedian, it was absolutely the right choice. But I’ve decided it would’ve been nice to try the other option, so that’s exactly what I’m gonna do. I’ve been doing some training, I’ve taken a teaching position. I will update you as and when I can.”

Jon announced from wife Lucy last April, having tied the knot in 2015. The couple share eight-year-old daughter Elsie.