BBC drops first look at EastEnders and Strictly stars as beloved comedy returns to screens for season 5

HIT BBC Three comedy Bad Education is back in class for a fifth series at Abbey Grove.

Filming is underway in London with West End star Layton Williams, EastEnders star Charlie Wernham, Vicki Pepperdine and Gavin & Stacey’s Mathew Horne all set to return to the hit series.

The Bad Education Reunion is the highest rating comedy on BBC Three since the channel was relaunched in 2022.

And series four drew in over 1.1 million viewers making the title one of BBC Three’s most successful programmes.

There will be six further episodes of the school sitcom, created by Jack Whitehall and Freddy Syborn, for BBC Three.

Since first debuting in 2012, the show successfully returned to screens last year with a Christmas special that said farewell to Alfie Wickers played by Jack Whitehall, followed by the fourth series that introduced a new chapter at Abbey Grove, with school alumni Stephen and Mitchel getting to grips with their new careers as teachers. 

The new generation of Class K will all be returning to Abbey Grove for the fifth series, including glamorous gossip Usma (Asha Hassan), wannabe roadman Inchez (Anthony J Abraham), himbo Harrison (Bobby Johnson), clueless slacktivist Jinx (Laura Marcus), eccentric Warren (Ali Hadji-Heshmati) and energetic hustler Blessing (Francesca Amewudah-Rivers).

Actress Layton Williams said: “I’m so buzzing that everyone embraced the new Bad Education! Thanks to yous, we’re back and badder than ever, creating more chaos with a super talented bunch. More life, more laughs, more looks!” 

This comes after Layton was announced as a contestant on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The West End star is said to have requested a same-sex partner for the competition.

Layton is reportedly being backed by BBC bosses who are desperate for a same-sex couple to take home the Glitterball trophy.

A source told The Mirror: “This year everyone is hoping for a same-sex couple who can go the distance. Layton is a phenomenal performer, the pros will probably queue up to work with him.”

Layton, 28, found fame at just 12 years old when he was cast in the title role in Billy Elliot: The Musical, and he has starred alongside Billie Piper in I Hate Suzie. 

However, the news of Layton joining as divided fans due to the actor’s dance and performance background.

A source told MailOnline: “He is professionally trained and has extensive experience with learning difficult choreography, which many of the contestants, especially those from a sporting or political background, will at first find impossible.

“The show has been criticised in the past for recruiting contestants with a background in dance and this year will be no different as Layton is a star in his own right and known for being an impeccable dancer on stage.”