Jon Richardson has revealed the truth behind his decision to quit comedy for an unlikely career path, after leaving fans in disbelief with the job move.
The stand-up star, 42, has revealed that his new role is actually as a teacher on Waterloo Road, having joined the cast for the BBC series.
Jon surprised fans on social media with the revelation that he was retiring from the comedy circuit to pursue teaching in a video on Monday.
However, there was more to the news than Jon first revealed, and it’s been revealed on the show’s Instagram account that he is set to make his debut on Waterloo Road on the next series later this year.
Viewers will have to wait and see out exactly who Jon will play, and what lies in store for him at the famous school.
Jon said: ‘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.
Jon Richardson has revealed the truth behind his decision to quit comedy to become a teacher, sharing he’s actually joined the cast of Waterloo Road
‘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.’
Cameron Roach, Founder of Rope Ladder Fiction and Exec Producer for Waterloo Road says:
‘Waterloo Road always strives to strike the right balance between big emotion and comedy, and we feel we’ve struck gold in casting Jon Richardson as a new media studies teacher at Waterloo Road.
‘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.’
Jon joins 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.
On Monday, Jon surprised fans when he announced that he was giving up comedy to start a new role as a teacher, having taken a break from stand-up following his split from wife Lucy Beaumont.
In a video shared on social media, Jon explained: ‘I just thought I’d give you a little update. I don’t really social media updates and I’ll tell you why, because I don’t think anyone cares.
‘But 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.
The comedian surprised fans on social media with the revelation that he was retiring from the circuit to pursue teaching in a video on Monday
Jon has taken a break from stand-up comedy after splitting from his wife Lucy Beaumont in April 2024 (pictured in May 2023)
‘I’ve been thinking a lot about a diary entry that I found from 1997.’
The handwritten note, which he wrote when he was 14, read: ‘Although I would love to be a stand-up comedian, I’ll probably end up being a teacher.’
He added: ‘I’ve been thinking a lot about that and I loved being a comedian, it was absolutely the right choice, I have decided it would have been nice to try the other option.’
Jon then shared he has carried out his teacher training and has already landed a job within the profession.
Fans are shocked by the announcement – and some have even questioned whether it is an April Fool’s joke.
One wrote: ‘Please tell me this is an early April fools? but those kids will be incredibly lucky’
Another said: ‘This can’t be true! It’s April fools tomorrow so I am guessing you’re having us on But if there is any part of it that’s true, I’m heading back to school just so you can be my teacher.’
During one of Jon’s last stand-up routine’s last year, he gave an update on his love life following his split from Lucy.
The former couple announced their decision to divorce in April 2024 after nine years of marriage in a move that surprised their fans.
And speaking on stage during a special comedy gig Absolute Radio at the London Palladium, Jon made a huge admission about being single.
Jon explained: ‘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’
Fans were shocked by the announcement – and some were quick to question whether it was an April Fool’s joke
Responding to Judi Love’s stand-up routine in which she talked about the challenges of dating, Jon reflected on his own love life, as he remarked: ‘It makes me think I’m so happy being single.’
Later in the show, the 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown star also allegedly discussed his joy at no longer having to run the tap in bathroom when he used the toilet in a hotel room now that he’s a single man, reports The Sun .
The evening, which was held to raise funds for The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Charity, saw Jon joined by a host of comedians including Judi, Dara O’Briain and Josh Widdicombe.
Prior to this, Lucy was joined by a mystery man as she left the Lowry Theatre in Manchester – six months after confirming the end of her marriage to comedian Jon Richardson.
The gentleman in question was later revealed as sound engineer Martin Wallace.
While it is not known when Beaumont and Wallace first met – he previously worked as a sound engineer on her ex’s 2014 stand up special, Jon Richardson Live: Nidiot.
Lucy and Jon met in 2013 through mutual friends before tying the knot in April 2015 and the former couple share a daughter (pictured in 2017)
Wallace is an experienced sound tech who has worked closely with a range of comedy stars including Rob Beckett and Dara Ó Briain.
He is also a talented multi-instrumentalist, being self-taught on guitar, piano and bass.
The nature of their relationship is unknown.
MailOnline contacted Lucy Beaumont’s representatives for comment at the time.
Her evening out came just six months after she split from her comedian husband Jon.
They share a daughter and tied the knot in April 2015, after they started dating in 2013.
Beaumont and Richardson first met through friend Roisin Conaty and went on to work together on a number of shows including Meet The Richardsons.
But in a joint statement in April, they said: ‘After 9 years of marriage, we would like to announce that we have separated. We have jointly and amicably made the difficult decision to divorce and go our separate ways.’
Richardson handed over £1.625 million Beaumont when they called time on their nine year marriage.
Lucy and Jon announced their decision to divorce in April after nine years of marriage in a move that surprised their fans
And the comedian has since spoken out about their split in an interview with OK! Magazine.
She told the publication: ‘People might think I should talk about it because we were so public and everyone knew us as a couple, but I won’t, and not because there’s any animosity.
‘We both agreed that while it might be weird for other people not hearing anything about it, we wouldn’t talk about anything to do with the marriage or each other.’
She added of a recent new approach to life now she’s in her forties: ‘I don’t feel any different really, just a bit angrier and not willing to take any s**t from anyone.’
