{"id":66210,"date":"2025-08-14T11:02:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T11:02:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/66210\/"},"modified":"2025-08-14T11:02:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T11:02:08","slug":"9-celebrities-who-turned-out-well-despite-flunking-a-levels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/66210\/","title":{"rendered":"9 celebrities who turned out well despite flunking A levels"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Jeremy
\n\t\tJeremy Clarkson isn\u2019t the only celeb to fluff a few exams (Picture: Qian Jun\/MB Media\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Not everyone passes their exams with flying colours \u2013 even the rich and famous!<\/p>\n

A-level results<\/a> day is upon us, with teens across the country learning what the next few years of their lives might be looking like.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a stressful time of year, and it will leave many people feeling disappointed.<\/p>\n

For those feeling like university<\/a> might no longer be an option, let us remind you about a collection of people who did rather well when they finished school<\/a>, despite not managing to scrape perfect grades.<\/p>\n

Jeremy Clarkson<\/a> is famous for his results day Tweets<\/a> (did you know he got a C and two Us?), but he\u2019s not the only star who came away with disappointing grades.<\/p>\n

We think you\u2019ll agree, these nine celebrities all seem to be doing pretty well for themselves!<\/p>\n

Simon Cowell<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Simon
\n\t\tSimon Cowell went straight into the world of work instead of studying for A levels (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Simon Cowell <\/a>left school with just three O levels (the equivalent of GCSEs), but now look at him \u2013 his musical opinion is one of the most valued in showbiz.<\/p>\n

He spends his life judging other people\u2019s abilities, but he certainly didn\u2019t have the X Factor at school.<\/p>\n

Simon chose not to do his A-levels and landed a job in the mail room of EMI Music Publishing instead. <\/p>\n

It appears it was a wise decision!<\/p>\n

Jeremy Clarkson<\/p>\n

\t\t\"No
\n\t\tJeremy Clarkson is famous for his A-level results day Tweets (Picture: Amazon\/Everett\/REX\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

The Clarkson\u2019s Farm <\/a>star isn\u2019t shy about telling you about how he failed his exams.<\/p>\n

In fact, he makes the same smug point every year.<\/p>\n

2024<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t worry if your A level results aren\u2019t what you were hoping for. I got a C and two Us, and here I am, 46 years later, with my own pub. It opens next weekend if you fancy dropping in.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) August 15, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n

2023<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not the end of the world if your A level results aren\u2019t what you\u2019d hoped for. I got a C and 2 Us and here I am today with my own brewery.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) August 17, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n

2022<\/p>\n

You get the picture\u2026<\/p>\n

Deborah Meaden<\/p>\n

\t\t\"LONDON,
\n\t\tDeborah Meaden is a formidable businessperson, despite having no A-levels (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Dragons\u2019 Den\u2019s Deborah Meaden <\/a>left school before taking her A-levels, instead opting to study business at college.<\/p>\n

Well, it paid off.<\/p>\n

Today, she\u2019s worth in excess of \u00a350 million and has been awarded a grand total of four honorary degrees from the University of Exeter, Staffordshire University, Keele University, and Bath Spa University. <\/p>\n

Richard Branson<\/p>\n

\t\t\"SYDNEY,
\n\t\tSir Richard Branson is now worth roughly $2.6 billion (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Richard Branson<\/a> may have dropped out of school at 16, but he\u2019s doing pretty well for himself.<\/p>\n

He put in a lot of hard work and rose to the top, and is now worth $2.6 billion.<\/p>\n

And he\u2019s got some strong words of wisdom too: \u2018Young people need empowerment and encouragement, not sleepless nights worrying about hitting their exam targets.<\/p>\n

\u2018They need to learn to take risks and not to be afraid of failure. Failure is part of life, especially in business. The key is to learn from it.\u2019<\/p>\n

Jake Humphrey<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Jake
\n\t\tJake Humphrey was fired from McDonald\u2019s the same day he picked up his disappointing A-level results (Picture: PA)<\/p>\n

TV presenter Jake Humphrey failed across the board in his A-levels, picking up an E, N and U.<\/p>\n

He also got fired from McDonald\u2019s on the same day he picked them up.<\/p>\n

But he didn\u2019t let that define his life. He applied for an internship with ITV and became the face of Premier League football on BT Sport.<\/p>\n

Clare Balding<\/p>\n

\t\t\"LONDON,
\n\t\tClare Balding went to Cambridge University, despite receiving poor A-level results (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Beloved broadcaster Clare Balding<\/a> was arrested for shoplifting in her youth, and didn\u2019t get good grades in History and Latin at A-level.<\/p>\n

She took two years out after school to retake exams and practise her interview technique to help her get into Cambridge.<\/p>\n

Well, her determination paid off. She nailed her history re-sit and got into one of the best universities in the world. Bravo!<\/p>\n

Prince Harry<\/p>\n

\t\t\"FILE
\n\t\tPrince Harry may be royal, but he didn\u2019t do well in his exams (Picture: AP)<\/p>\n

Prince Harry<\/a> had access to some of the best education in the world, but it didn\u2019t stop him from getting a D in his geography A-level.<\/p>\n

While it certainly helps to have a Queen for a grandmother, his educational blip didn\u2019t hold him back.<\/p>\n

He served in the Army for ten years, became the youth ambassador to the Commonwealth, and set up the Invictus Games for wounded veterans.<\/p>\n

Jon Snow<\/p>\n

\t\t\"LONDON,
\n\t\tJon Snow\u2019s disappointing A-level results didn\u2019t stop him from becoming a successful journalist (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Jon Snow <\/a>once said, \u2018There is life after A levels,\u2019 and his personal story confirms this.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s one of the most successful TV journalists in the UK, but when he was at school, he got a C in English and failed all his other A-level subjects.<\/p>\n

Despite his A-level woes, Snow did go on to study at the University of Liverpool, where he was suspended after standing up against the apartheid regime in South Africa during a student protest in 1970.<\/p>\n

Sarah Millican<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Sarah
\n\t\tSarah Millican has some wise words for disappointed A-level students (Picture: Ken McKay\/ITV\/REX\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

Comedian Sarah Millican<\/a> finished her A levels with two Ds and an E, but now spreads the word that \u2018good exam results are useful but not the be-all and end-all\u2019.<\/p>\n

She sends heartwarming messages to students each year to remind them that \u2018if you don\u2019t get what you need, it isn\u2019t the end of the world\u2019.<\/p>\n

Too right, Sarah!<\/p>\n

Got a story?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n


\n\t\t\tComment now<\/p>\n

\t\t\tComments
\n\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: University was supposed to prepare me for the work force \u2013 it did the opposite<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: All the places you can get free food on A-level results day \u2014 from Nando\u2019s to Bill\u2019s<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: All the places you can get free food on A-level results day \u2014 from Nando\u2019s to Bill\u2019s<\/a><\/p>\n

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