Educating Yorkshire viewers in tears as 'inspirational' original Channel 4 star returns

Educating Yorkshire viewers have been left emotional after a familiar face from the original series returned to the programme.

The cherished reality series made its comeback to Channel 4 last month with a new group of students, after it originally aired in 2013, building on the Bafta award-winning 2011 series Educating Essex.

Featuring both humorous and emotional moments, scenes from the original show of Educating Yorkshire became legendary, including English teacher Mr Burton supporting student Musharaf in conquering his stammer.

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In tonight’s episode of the new series, Musharaf returned to Thornhill Community Academy more than ten years later, where Mr Burton now serves as headteacher.

Musharaf left viewers in tears when he first appeared on Educating Yorkshire in 2013, and learnt to find his voice after overcoming his stammer, which he’d had since the age of five following a severe asthma attack.

His struggle would have left him unable to pass his English GCSE oral exam, until Mr Burton came along and taught him the technique used by King George VI after he saw The King’s Speech, the film starring Colin Firth.

Teenager Musharaf went on to make an emotional speech at the end of term assembly, and now even works as a motivational speaker.

Ahead of appearing as a “special guest” on Educating Yorkshire tonight to surprise the new generation of students, Mr Burton and Musharaf reflected on his time as a pupil.

“I remember just being absolutely blown away, completely and utterly blown away,” Mr Burton remarked, recalling helping Musharaf more than a decade ago and watching him overcome his "debilitating" stammer.

He then explained to the camera: “I’ve invited Musharaf back to speak to Year 11s to give them that bit of inspiration, like ‘Look, I was here, I was sitting in the seat you’re sitting in, I struggled with particular things but gritted my teeth, showed that determination and resilience, and look where I am now.’”

The students were stunned to see Musharaf, who told them: “My journey also began in this school and I remember one day I realised something was wrong, and that wrong was that I couldn’t get these words out.

“After visiting the doctor’s surgery I got told I couldn’t ever speak fluently ever again.”

He went on: “I thought if I couldn’t get these words out I couldn’t achieve anything at all in life.”

“Being in that classroom and having a teacher that put all that time and effort into making sure you could speak and finally getting those words out, it was one of the best moments I could ever have or live,” he continued.

“For me, it was having a friend who was in my corner, having a person who really pushed me and believed in me and I realised that if I put the time and effort in, I can get these words out.”

"It's Mushy time!!!!" one viewer watching at home wrote on X.

"Remember this episode like it was last week," another said.

A third shared a clip of a crowd cheering, and wrote: "The UK when Musharaf came on screen."

Another said: "I think we can all agree, it's great to see that Musharaf has done so well for himself all these years later."

"No way, look at Musharaf! Loved him and how he overcame his stammer. That episode back in 2013 still makes me cry," someone else said.

One fan wrote: "THE RETURN OF MUSHY what a legend."

And yet another said: "Fantastic to see @MusharafAsghar on #educatingyorkshire."

Others admitted to being in tears, as one said: "Why am I tearing up," and another joked: "Who's chopping onions!"

Mr Burton previously reflected on Musharaf’s success in an interview with Metro, saying: “The fact that he went from stammering for that particular period, to being able to fluidly recite that poem. It was a lovely lovely thing to see firsthand and he is just incredible.

“His resilience, his grit and determination and it was just a wonderful coincidence that the cameras were filming at that time.”

Educating Yorkshire airs at 8pm on Channel 4.