Jon Richardson is not giving up comedy after all.
The stand-up yesterday announced that he would be quitting the industry to become a teacher, with his agent issuing a statement confirming the news and 'wishing him all the best with his new career’.
However it was all just a publicity stunt for the less dramatic news that he is joining the cast of the BBC’s school-based drama Waterloo Road.
It has not been announced what role he would be playing.
In a rare video posted to Instagram yesterday, Richardson said: 'I just thought I'd give you a little update. I don't really do 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.
'I've been thinking a lot about a diary entry that I found from 1997.'
He then displayed the handwritten note, which he wrote when he was 14, which read: 'Although I would love to be a stand-up comedian, I'll probably End up being a teacher.’
The 42-year-old 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.’
Richardson then explained that he had completed his teacher training and has already landed a job.
He has since shared a post from he official Waterloo Road account revealing the truth, with the hashtag #aprilfool – although the fake announcement was actually made yesterday.
It read: ‘You may have heard Jon Richardson is going through a huge career change… We’re pleased to share with you the newest addition to the #WaterlooRoad teaching staff. He’ll be joining us next term.’
Richardson himself 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.
‘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.’
His original shock announcement fooled most the media – Chortle included – as well as several comics.
Seann Walsh posted today: ‘Almost cried that one of my favourite comedians was retiring. An absolute stitch-up.’
And other comics gave their support to his apparent decision, with Romesh Ranganathan – himself a former teacher – posting: 'You’re going to be brilliant mate.’
Jason Manford – who previously played headteacher Steve Savage in Waterloo Road – noted yesteday: ‘Hmmm this isn’t gonna End well.’
Some of his followers suspected the post may have been an April Fool’s prank, although there was nothing to suggest he was joking.
And in a statement, his agents said: 'Off The Kerb would like to express their best wishes and support for Jon Richardson who – after some very careful consideration – has decided to retire from stand-up comedy, and instead pursue a career in teaching. We fully respect and admire this decision, and wish him all the best with his new career.'
