Comedian Jon Richardson has surprised fans by stepping back from stand-up comedy and launching a new venture in Yorkshire. The 43-year-old, known for his meticulous wit and appearances on panel shows, is now focusing on restoring a historic pub in the village of Fadmoor.
Richardson became a shareholder in Fadmoor Community Pub Limited and is working with locals to renovate The Plough, a venue dating back to 1782. The project is documented in the More4 series Our Yorkshire Pub Rescue, which shows him tackling renovation work and supporting community fundraising events.
This career shift follows a period of personal change. Richardson and fellow comedian Lucy Beaumont announced their divorce in April 2024 after nine years of marriage. The couple, who co-created the mockumentary Meet the Richardsons, have a daughter together and had lived in a renovated farmhouse in Hebden Bridge.
In April 2025, Richardson briefly fooled followers by claiming he would become a teacher, before revealing it was a ruse and that he had joined the BBC drama Waterloo Road. He made his debut on the show in September 2025.
Discussing his pub project, Richardson said he loves being a comedian but wanted to try something different. The pub has not yet reopened, but the community is already rallying around the eco-conscious initiative, which highlights locally sourced food and drink from the North York Moors.
