Jon Richardson quits comedy to become a teacher
- Jon Richardson has taken a break from comedy and is pursuing a career in teaching.
- Inspired by a diary entry from his teenage years, he has trained for and accepted a teaching position.
- Richardson's decision has elicited mixed responses from fans and fellow comedians.
In April 2024, comedian Jon Richardson announced a significant career change, transitioning away from stand-up comedy to pursue teaching. This decision came on the heels of a break from performing, during which he discovered a newfound appreciation for stepping back from the comedy stage. Richardson revealed that he was motivated by a diary entry from his youth, where, at age 14, he expressed a desire to teach. Over the years, he has gained popularity among audiences through his appearances in shows such as '8 Out of 10 Cats' and 'Taskmaster', making his move away from comedy quite surprising for his fans. Richardson's decision to leave comedy has met with mixed reactions from his peers and fans. Fellow comedians like Romesh Ranganathan and Lucy Smyth expressed support and congratulations, while others lamented the loss of his comedic talent. Fans voiced their concerns, with some questioning whether this announcement was simply an April Fool's joke. Nevertheless, the move highlighted Richardson's personal evolution and interest in fulfilling long-held ambitions from his childhood. In addition to teaching, Richardson is set to appear in the popular BBC series 'Waterloo Road', a role he described as a dream come true. This casting further emphasizes his commitment to his new path, and he hopes it will help him to put his teaching aspirations to rest once and for all. As he embarks on this new endeavor, he acknowledged the emotional weight of leaving his previous career behind, especially following the recent divorce from his wife, Lucy Beaumont, after nine years of marriage. With his divorce taking place around the same time as his career shift, Richardson is navigating significant personal changes while pursuing a new professional direction. He emphasized that his primary focus is on managing this transition for his daughter resulting from the divorce. His artistic shift towards teaching showcases not only his desire for personal growth but also his dedication to shaping the future of students, as he steps into a role he has long contemplated.