James Buckley remained tight-lipped when quizzed on the return of his hit show The Inbetweeners – and even joked his iconic character Jay has been killed off.
The actor, 38, rose to fame back in 2008 as Jay Cartwright in the E4 comedy series and two blockbuster films, alongside his co-stars Simon Bird, Blake Harrison and Joe Thomas.
It was reported last month that the hit sitcom is poised for a major comeback – with all four original cast members keen to reunite.
Creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley confirmed that plans were underway to bring back the iconic characters Will, Simon, Jay and Neil for a fresh chapter, after a signing the deal with production giant Banijay UK.
But James has appeared to pour cold water on fans’ hopes, saying he has no knowledge of a revival.
He even quipped that as he’s not heard anything, the team might be ‘doing it without him’ and joked his character has been killed off.
James Buckley remained tight-lipped when quizzed on the return of his hit show The Inbetweeners on Radio X on Tuesday – and even joked his iconic character Jay has been killed off
The actor, 38, rose to fame back in 2008 as Jay Cartwright in the E4 comedy series and two blockbuster films, alongside his co-stars Simon Bird , Blake Harrison and Joe Thomas
Appearing on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X, James said he didn’t know when asked if the show was coming back.
‘I always have to ask you all the time,’ Chris said, as James added: ‘I don’t know. There was a bit that came out a couple of weeks ago.
‘Every sort of couple of years, someone tells me it’s coming back, and I only know as much as everyone else.
‘I’m walking around at the moment just disappointing people because they’re going, “Oh, it’s so great it’s coming back.” And I go, “Is it?” If it is…’
Co-host Dominic Byrne then asked: ‘You’d do it though, wouldn’t you, if it was coming back?’
James added: ‘I don’t know. I’d think about it. I’d have to think about it.’
He later added: ‘But if they are doing it, maybe they’re doing it without me!’
The Inbetweeners creator did however confirm a revival was in the works, saying in a statement last month: ‘It’s incredibly exciting to be plotting more adventures for our four favourite friends (ooh friends).’
But James has appeared to pour cold water on fans’ hopes, saying he has no knowledge of a revival
It is said a new deal has been struck to revive the much-loved E4 comedy, which first aired in 2008 and the project could involve a new TV run, a film, or even a stage adaptation
It is thought the project could involve a new TV run, a film, or even a stage adaptation, with talks already underway about how to reboot the cult favourite.
Banijay’s chief executive, Patrick Holland, told The Sun he was ‘delighted to pick up the conversation about the future of The Inbetweeners with them’.
He added: ‘They have an infectious creative vision for the brand which will resonate with audiences old and new.’
The company said the deal ‘unlocks the rights and potential to bring The Inbetweeners back for new audiences across a range of platforms including film, tv and stage’.
Joe Thomas (who played awkward teen Simon), revealed last year that the cast – including Simon Bird (who played geeky Will McKenzie), James Buckley (who played loud mouth Jay) and Blake Harrison (who played dopey Neil Sutherland)- were eager to return.
He said the group had stayed close friends and would ‘jump at the chance’ to work together again.
Creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley confirmed that plans were underway to bring back the iconic characters Will, Simon, Jay and Neil for a fresh chapter
Speaking to a podcast he said: ‘We’re all still around. We’re all still in each other’s lives. We all still like each other.
‘And if it was something that came up, I think we would want to do it.’
Also tipped to return is Emily Atack, who played fan-favourite Charlotte Hinchcliffe.
If the deal goes ahead, the reboot would mark the first time in more than a decade that the full cast have reunited on screen.
The Daily Mail contacted an E4 representative for comment at the time.
Please credit: Tune into The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X weekdays from 6:30am – 10am and on Global Player*
