Comedian Jon Richardson has landed a role in the upcoming 16th series of school drama Waterloo Road.
The 42-year-old funnyman from Lancaster is known for TV shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Meet the Richardsons, and for his Saturday morning show on Absolute Radio.
The official Instagram account for the long-running BBC show confirmed the news of his casting on Tuesday by sharing a picture of him in dressed in character in a suit.
“We’re pleased to share with you the newest addition to the WaterlooRoad teaching staff. He’ll be joning us next term,” the accompanying caption read.
The announcement comes after Richardson posted a video on Instagram on Monday claiming that he had got a new job after training as a teacher.
He told his followers: “Hello everyone, it’s Jon Richardson here. I just thought I’d give you a little update’ he said.
“I don’t really do social media updates because, I’ll tell you why, I don’t think anybody cares.
“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.”
He continued, alongside a picture of his childhood writing: “I’ve been thinking a lot about a diary entry that I found from 1997, I’m fourteen years old and it says: ‘Although I’d love to be a stand-up comedian, I’ll probably end up being a teacher.’”
“I’ve been thinking a lot about that. I’ve loved being a comedian, it was absolutely the right choice, but I have decided it would be nice to try the other option – so that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
“I’ve been doing some training. I’ve taken a teaching position. I will update you as and when I can, but that’s all from me from now. Just wanted to let you know where I’ve been. Bye for now.”
A number of his fellow comedy peers appeared to fall for the so-called career change hook, line and sinker.
“OH MY GOD THE LUCKY CLASSROOM THAT GETS YOU JON BOY!” exclaimed Aisling Bea enthusiastically.
The Weakest Link host Romesh Ranganathan added his own note of support, saying: “You’re going to be brilliant mate.”
While Shappi Khorsandi, who has starred alongside him on Cats, wrote: “I am so happy for you. You were always, as the kids say, a real one.”
