Following our story earlier today, the truth can now be revealed. Jon Richardson isn't quitting comedy to become a teacher as we reported here, but he is going back to school. Richardson will join the cast of Waterloo Road as a new addition to the staff room when the hit drama returns for its next series later this year.

Today’s announcement comes as Jon surprised fans on social media yesterday with the revelation that he was retiring from the comedy circuit to pursue teaching. However, there was more to the news than Jon first revealed. Viewers will have to wait for the next series of Waterloo Road to find out exactly who Jon will play, and what lies in store for him at the famous school.

‘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.’

Series 15 of Waterloo Road – which airs its final episode of the current series tonight – has seen the arrival of Dame Stella, who joined the school to save it 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. With her Ofsted background at the forefront of her mind, Stella struggles throughout the series to find the right balance between protecting the students and teachers of Waterloo Road and getting their education back on track. The end of the series saw Dame Stella realise the error of her ways and recruit Jack Rimmer (Jason Merrells) back into the education system as a counsellor.

All episodes from every series of Waterloo Road are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.