The Inbetweeners star Simon Bird makes heartbreaking announcement

The Inbetweeners star Simon Bird has made a heartbreaking announcement about the rumoured new film on Wednesday.

The actor, now 40, who shot to stardom on the noughties hit, has lifted the lid on the future of an Inbetweeners reunion, ten years after the last film was made. 

The Friday Night Dinner star revealed that after three series and two films, there are no plans for a reunion any time soon.

The star added that despite the sitcom becoming a household name, he admitted doesn’t really remember his time on the show. 

The actor made the shocking announcement in an exclusive interview with MailOnline and revealed that he was ‘pouring cold water’ on fan speculation that the cast would be getting back together. 

Simon said: ‘I’m afraid to be the one pouring cold water on this but it’s not happening. 

‘I can tell you emphatically that there are no prospects of a reunion.’ 

He explained that while the cast would be more than happy to get back into character, it wasn’t up to them.

Simon said: ‘We’d be happy to but it’s not up to us, it’s up to the writers, Iain and Damon, and I know they’re both very busy these days.

‘It’s not more likely to happen now than it was ten years ago I’m afraid. 

‘I think it was a comedy that inhabited a certain time and, well, I think I caused quite a storm on social media in a previous interview where I said it wouldn’t be made now but I’m not sure it would.

‘So no there have been no discussion about a new show or film.’ 

Simon added that despite fans hurling quotes at him in the street, he doesn’t remember his lines and has moved on professionally from the show that made him famous. 

The star said: ‘People come up to me in the street and quote lines from the show and I have no idea what they’re talking about.

‘I don’t watch myself back, I can’t remember the show – I don’t think I’ve even watched it back since I made it in 2008.

‘I just didn’t expect it in a way, but there’s obviously still the appetite for it and people love it.’

Despite the devastating news, Simon confirmed that the cast are still in touch and revealed they have a Whatsapp group chat and try to meet up regularly. 

‘We try to meet up for dinner or something but it’s hard. I think we’re currently planning something for March 2025’, he revealed. 

He added: ‘We’re bonded for life. When you go through something like that you’re more than friends, it’s brotherly, so yeah we keep in contact with each other.’

One cast member the foursome don’t seem to keep up with is Emily Atack who was reportedly cut from a 2019 reunion after James Buckley who played Jay in the show, told producers ‘it’s her or me’ following a past fling they had when they were both single, The Sun claimed.

The insider added that the past kisses she shared with James meant nothing and she was shocked and upset to learn that she wasn’t needed on the show. 

James, 37, also apparently took umbrage with Emily’s recent appearance in the jungle and claimed it didn’t sit well with the Inbetweeners’ ‘brand’.

Emily, 34, who came runner up on the programme in 2018, was apparently hurt when she heard James’ comments, where he claimed that her reality show stint was ‘tacky’.

The I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here star, who was cast as Charlotte Hinchcliffe in the hit series, was told the day before she was set to appear on the reunion that she wasn’t required.

A source told The Sun: ‘Emily got a call from producers 24 hours before she was due on set. They were deeply embarrassed and apologetic. They had to explain that James had asked she be taken off the show.

‘The pair had a couple of cheeky snogs back in the day when they were both single. But James didn’t want it to become a major issue on the reunion, or with his wife Clair.’ 

But her career has gone from strength to strength and Emily, who recently welcomed her son Barney with boyfriend Alistair Garner in August, is set to star opposite David Tenant in Disney+’s steamy new drama Rivals.

The racy eight-part series which is based on Jilly Cooper’s raunchy 1988 novel will be released later this year.

Although the blonde bombshell does not seem to be in the Inbetweeners group chat, Simon wished her well on her new racy project. 

And Emily’s character choice seemed to inspire the sitcom star who didn’t rule out taking on a similarly raunchy role.

‘You know I’ve never been asked but I probably would although I’ve been acting for about 20 years and no one has suggested it and I think time might be running out’, Simon joked.  

Since the hit comedy ended in 2010, Simon has gone on to star in a series of spin off shows alongside his cast mates James Buckley, who played Jay Cartwright, Blake Harrison, who starred as Neil Sutherland and Joe Thomas, who played Simon Cooper. 

Since their last venture as goofy schoolboys in 2014, Simon has since directed his first feature film Days of Bagnold Summer starring Tamsin Greig and starred in BBC Three comedy Such Brave Girls but the cast members have continued to feature in projects together.

Simon and Joe reunited for the comedy Chickens while Joe played opposite James in the hit BBC Two show White Gold. 

While Simon has started taking on roles behind the camera, his cast mates have also taken on new roles.

James recently starred in the West End run of the spooky ghost story 2:22 and has appeared on The Great Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off.

While Blake, 39, has moved away from comedy it seems and has had starring roles in Prime Suspect 1973 and Agatha and The Midnight Murders.

Simon has recently partnered with Hilton hotels for Graduate by Hilton: ‘The Great Travel Debate’ where he teamed up with former cast mate comedian Jessica Knappett to decide once and for all what makes the best hotel stay.

The pair debated tucked bed sheets, whether unpacking a suitcase is worth it and what toiletries Brits love to stuff in their suitcases. 

And the duo have asked the nation for their say.