Jack Whitehall to end Bad Education after Series 3
Update, 3pm: Posting on Twitter, Jack Whitehall said: 'To clarify I didn't say in interview Bad Ed will definitely end after series 3. I said that may be the last series. It may not #misquoted'
Jack Whitehall has said there will probably be just one more series of his hit school-based sitcom Bad Education.
Speaking in an interview with Time Out magazine, the comedy star said "I'll be doing one more British series of Bad Education, but then that will be the end of it".
He confirmed it was his decision to end the show, adding: "Never say never, but I think three series is probably enough. It feels like a lot of these things [the TV shows he is working on] will be coming to an end, so I've got to find new projects to do. It's a daunting prospect, to not know what the next thing is."
In Bad Education, Whitehall plays the lead role of Alfie Wickers (pictured), a young man described as "the worst teacher ever to grace the British education system, and a bigger kid than his students". He is joined on the cast list by Mathew Horne, Sarah Solemani, Michelle Gomez, Harry Enfield, Samantha Spiro and a collection of young actors.
The sitcom, which Whitehall co-writes with long-term friend Freddy Syborn, launched on BBC Three in 2012 and quickly became a ratings hit. Series 2, which first was broadcast in September last year, premiered on iPlayer and instantly set new records for the service. The BBC has revealed it amassed a "phenomenal" 1.5 million requests in its first seven days online.
Today's new interview confirms that a third series of Bad Education has been commissioned, however there is likely to be a wait to see it on screen as Whitehall is currently busy on other projects. The comedian is currently involved in the filming of a new series of Sky1 panel show A League Of Their Own and will shortly be touring the UK with his new stand-up show, Jack Whitehall Gets Around.
He has also been working on a a US re-make of Bad Education. Titled An American Education, the ABC sitcom pilot is heavily influenced by the UK original and features Whitehall playing his British character alongside various American teachers in a Chicago school.
Speaking to Digital Spy last week he said: "It is a challenge to adapt it and make it work for that audience, but hopefully it stepped up to the plate."
He added that he was very aware that there is not a good track record of British comedies being re-made abroad, saying: "There are some shows that are very good over here [in the UK] and have gone over there and not worked. Hopefully we did a pretty good job of it. If any British viewers watch the American version, I think they will enjoy it."
One TV project that it is still unclear whether Whitehall will be returning to is Channel 4's student based comedy Fresh Meat. Talking to Time Out, he said: "There might be another Fresh Meat, I don't know." The network has yet to announce whether the comedy drama, in which Whitehall plays posh uni student JP, will return. Its writers - Bain & Armstrong - have indicated plans for six series but are currently busy making police comedy Babylon.
In today's cover interview with the London listings magazine, Whitehall also spoke to journalist Ben Williams about the press trying to work up a scandal out of very little, saying: "There's definitely a market in manufacturing outrage. It's a real ball-ache when you're being harangued by a big, aggressive newspaper because you said something stupid. The challenge is not to let it get to you, and not to let it affect your output."
He also reluctantly spoke about his relationship with actress Gemma Chan. Asked 'Do you think you'll settle down with her?', he replied: "Are you my mother? Well... I don't know... bleugh! When I decide I'll probably talk to her about it first rather than discussing it in the press. But she's completely different to any girl I've dated. She's special, in the good sense of 'special'."
Jack Whitehall Gets Around begins shortly. Tour dates can be found on www.jackwhitehall.com
In the below video, Whitehall answers the questions about him that are regularly input into Google, including 'Is Jack Whitehall well hung?':
The below clip, from Series 2 of Bad Education, features Harry Enfield playing Alfie's father: