James Buckley still finds The Inbetweeners funny (Picture: Channel 4)

James Buckley’s character Jay Cartwright screaming out ‘bus w****r’ at a man using public transport on The Inbetweeners may be simple, but you have to admit, it’s funny.

Even just typing out the scene has got the corners of our mouths lifting into a smile.

We’re not the only ones who can’t help but still find the interaction amusing – the 36-year-old actor who is responsible for delivering the iconic catchphrase in the coming-of-age drama is still very much entertained by his own creation.

‘It might be a bit more cringy or embarrassing than being the actor who’s so fed up of a character and too cool for school, but I still find it funny,’ James told Metro.co.uk.

While Penn Badgley spent years slating aspects of Gossip Girl, and Robert Pattinson seemed to feel disdain towards Twilight until recently, James couldn’t be more opposite.

‘I don’t know whether that’s more embarrassing and whether I should have grown up,’ he mused.

James still laughs at the dialogue (Picture: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)

‘When someone says “bus w****r” to me I still find it as funny as when I first read it.

‘Someone who is lucky enough to be driving in a car, winding down their window and shouting bus w****r at someone sitting at the bus stop is just really fun,’ he adds to further clarify his amusement but he’s very much preaching to the choir. We find his infectious love for the role that launched his career anything but cringe!

Despite his appreciation for the Channel 4 sitcom which ran from 2008 until 2010, which was then followed by two movies, James thinks it’s done.

James thinks The Inbetweeners is done (Picture: Channel 4)

‘I don’t want to go back, but I love The Inbetweeners so much and I’m so proud of it. We squeezed as much juice as we would out of The Inbetweeners,’ he explained.

‘One film is enough off the back of a TV show, and then we did another one. I still think both films are great. We really pushed it. We tried our luck as much as possible, and it came to a good conclusion.’

Although he doesn’t want to do a reboot, he is more than willing to work with his co-stars again – Simon Bird (Will McKenzie), Joe Thomas (Simon Cooper), and Blake Harrison (Neil Sutherland) again.

‘I would really love to do something with the boys again, which is something different.

‘Obviously something just as funny,’ he quickly added.

For now, we can enjoy James in his latest TV project – Finders Keepers, where he plays Ashley, who goes on a bonding trip with his father-in-law, keen detectorist Martin (Neil Morrissey).

While out in the fields, the pair discover a hoard of buried Saxon treasure worth millions. Legally, they should declare it, but wheeler-dealer Ashley tries to convince Martin to sell it privately and keep the profits.

James is excited about the new drama which he sees as having a ‘Breaking Bad’ feel to it, after taking a break from acting due to feeling uninspired.

‘Over the last couple of years, I’ve been a bit more motivated after going through around half a decade or so of not really feeling that excited about things that have come my way,’ he recalled.

‘I didn’t really watch much television for a long time either. I wasn’t interested in what was either being made or being sent my way.’

Neil plays the father-in-law of James’ character (Picture: Channel 5)

James continued: ‘You’ve always got to do stuff that you personally like and if people like it as well, that’s a real bonus, but there’s just been a few years where nothing was interesting. I’d be pitched comedies, I would read it and it wouldn’t be particularly funny.

‘And my bar isn’t even that high,’ he stated.

The self-deprecating actor then shared a theory, which we don’t believe: ‘Maybe it’s because I’m very far down the list these days.

‘People have to drop out and producers have to get really desperate if they are going to ring my number,’ he joked.

Finally, the Channel 5 show came along which spiked James’ interest, particularly the chance to work with Men Behaving Badly star Neil. Although he now partially selects jobs based on how fun they will be, there is always a part of him that finds certain aspects difficult and he doesn’t foresee that changing.

The cast also includes Fay Ripley (Picture: Channel 5)

He compared his return to the small screen as ‘like riding a bike if I was a man that never learned to ride a bike.’

‘I’ve never felt comfortable. I’ve always been terribly anxious and find all this stuff nerve-wracking.

‘I think “Oh that’ll be fun to just act with Neil Morrissey” and then you sit there and you go, “Oh, crikey. He’s a proper actor and he knows what he’s doing and he’s got a wealth of experience. I don’t know anything. I don’t know what I’m doing at all.” 

‘It excites me and it can be really fun, but it’s also terrifying because I’m like anyone else.’

James then reflects on this statement, and almost speaking to himself adds: ‘Although I suppose there are people that are comfortable with being on TV.

‘I can’t be alone with my thoughts for too long. Otherwise, I will constantly remind myself that I’m rubbish.’

This is a chance for audiences to see James in a new light, as comedy isn’t the defining feature of the role – although he still found the funny moments due to his ‘dark sense of humour.’

‘It’s two idiots that are out their depth, and they shouldn’t be in this situation. You can’t help but laugh at the ridiculous aspects of the mess they’ve created,’ he teased.

Despite stepping away from what he’s known for, James doesn’t think he’ll ever escape the Jay comparisons.

‘Inevitably some people will go “Oh, he’s just like Jay.” I’ve had that throughout my career. I can’t change my face and voice. Leonardo DiCaprio doesn’t get this,’ he laughed.

Although he’s back on TV, James has plenty going on outside of traditional media – he became the first UK star to make a seven-figure sum recording messages for fans on Cameo, and regularly uploads videos onto his family YouTube channel called At Home With The Buckleys with wife Clair Meek, who he shares children Harrison, 11, and nine-year-old Jude with. There’s their podcast too – In Sickness and In Health – which also keeps them busy.

James says that people still compare every character he plays to Jay (Picture: Channel 4)

There’s a reason James always has so much going on.

‘I’m the type of person who needs to keep myself busy, and it’s very sensible to have some kind of other financial income because that’s the way the world works now.

‘A lot of actors, writers and creatives are coming off the back of the big strike and spent a good chunk of last year not doing anything. They had to forfeit wage wages and that’s serious stuff.

‘I’ve got bills to pay, I’ve got to make money. I’ve got two boys, and they’re the only people that I answer to.

‘I feel so lucky to be able to be able to monetise creating fun content, and put jumpers on my kids’ backs and give them food.

‘I’ve won the lottery of life and it is not something I take for granted.’

Clair and James married in 2012 (Picture: James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock)

Despite, already spending so much time working with Clair, he would be open to acting with her in the future.

‘I get to work my favourite person in the world, which is absolutely brilliant and I’d do more.

‘She’s an incredibly talented actress, but I don’t know whether I’ll be able to convince her to do it,’ he predicted.

‘I’m the guy who wants to entertain she isn’t fussed. She’s not desperate to be on the internet or on television, she’s instead focused on bringing up young gentlemen. That’s her priority, and it always will be.

‘Selfishly, I’d love to get her on a television show just for my amusement.’

Finders Keepers begins tonight at 9pm on Channel 5 & My5.

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We agree with his ‘cringe’ opinion.