Oscar Hartland, 16, from Caerphilly, sat his exams at St Martin’s Comprehensive but came away with just two passes an A in music and an E in English.
The schoolboy first appeared in the hit BBC comedy, filmed mostly in Barry Island, as a baby, playing the son of Nessa and Smithy, before returning to the role in the 2019 Christmas special and the 2023 finale, where he performed Blackbird by The Beatles in front of 19.1 million viewers.
However, despite his TV fame, Oscar admits the classroom was never for him.Oscar Hartland (Neil the baby) with Barry’s Knock off Nessa (Image: Knock off Nessa (Karyn Barrett)) Speaking about his experience, the child star said: “Is an executive at one of the top recording labels going to ask me about my GCSE results? I don’t think so.
“I’ve always wanted to make it as a musician in a band, and I’m ready to do it the hard way. I’m a grafter and I’ll tough it out.”
Oscar insists his low grades had nothing to do with his TV career.
“I just hated school. Classroom learning is not my thing. During my school years, my head was in other places. Music was always my thing, and I got an A, so I’m happy with that.
“I feel strongly that pupils like me who are not academically minded are being failed by the education system. I got a whopping two GCSEs, but I’m happy with that.”
Oscar Hartland (Neil the baby) with Barry’s Knock off Nessa and young fans (Image: Knock off Nessa (Karyn Barrett)) Oscar has already set his sights firmly on the stage. At 14, he reached the semi-finals of The Voice Kids and has also recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios near Monmouth, where Oasis and Queen made some of their biggest hits.
Last weekend, he performed at the Camper Calling Family Music Festival in Stratford-upon-Avon, while next month, he will reunite with his Gavin and Stacey co-stars at the National Television Awards at London’s O2 Arena.
His mother, Kirsty Pritchard-Hartland, said she couldn’t be prouder.
She said: “He wasn’t too worried about his GCSE results. He’s only ever wanted a career in showbusiness – and he’s well on the way.”