James Buckley explains the real reason Inbetweeners can no longer come back

Fans of The Inbetweeners have long be calling for the show to make a return, but all involved in the Channel 4 favourite haven't provided much hope.

Now, James Buckley, who starred as Jay in the comedy has explained the real reason why the show can no longer come back.

Jay was known for his tall tales about his sexual escapades, which he regularly shared with his sixth form friends Simon (Joe Thomas), Will (Simon Bird) and Neil (Blake Harrison).

The quartet's antics made for hilarious - if not absolutely cringeworthy - television, so it's not surprising that many want to see it make a return to the small screen.

But it seems, like us, fans may be only hoping at this point, as Buckley hasn't provided much hope for a revival in a new interview.

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Sitting down with his wife Clair Buckley to promote their new weekly podcast In Sickness And In Health with the Daily Mail, The Inbetweeners of course came up in conversation.

The bottom line - as Buckley explained - is that as a lot of the jokes and lines would be coming from older men, the programme would not work nowadays.

He told The Mail: "It was all justified because they were never the heroes. They were idiots and they got what they deserved. That's why it can't come back - you can't have men in their late thirties acting like they're in sixth form and getting away with that stuff."

While that certainly wasn't the answer many fans were hoping for, Buckley did express his unwavering love for the classic comedy.

"I always get asked if I'd ever do more and I said, 'for no amount of money' and that quote got run away," he said.

"I didn't mean about money - it means more to me than money."

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For a few years at this point now it seems as though the main reason given as to why The Inbetweeners will not return is due to the actors' ages.

Of course, the show could relaunch with a brand new cast - but it surely wouldn't feel the same, right?

For those keeping score at home, Buckley is 35 - actually the youngest out of the group.

Harrison is next youngest at 38, with Friday Night Dinner star Bird 39.

Meanwhile, Simon's actor, Thomas, will be hitting the big 4-0 this year - doesn't that just makes you feel rather old.