Students across the country will find out their GCSE results on Thursday, after weeks of waiting. Some of the biggest names in entertainment and business left school with few qualifications, failed exams, or were rejected from the courses they wanted. Others took a different route before building careers worth millions.
For older stars, GCSEs had not yet been introduced, and they instead sat O-levels. Here are 20 famous faces whose school days did not go entirely to plan.
Jeremy Clarkson, Cheryl, and Robbie Williams
Jeremy Clarkson has regularly used results day to remind students that disappointing grades do not necessarily dictate what comes next. On A-level results day, he wrote on X: “Don’t worry if your A level results are a bit disappointing. I got a C and two Us. And this evening I shall sit in my agreeable garden, drinking beer from my own brewery and eating food from my own farm. Prepared by my own chef.”
Cheryl left school at 16 without taking GCSEs and focused on building a career in music. That decision paid off when she won a place in Girls Aloud on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002. Writing in her book Through My Eyes, she said: “Ever since I was a kid I've loved performing, being on stage, singing, dancing and showing off. There was just always something inside me, like, I knew there was no other option.”
Robbie Williams has spoken openly about leaving school without any GCSE qualifications and later feeling that his dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ADHD had gone unrecognised. He previously told The Sun: “I’ve been wanting to set up a university but, actually, I wouldn’t be able to attend if and when I do, because I didn’t get any GCSEs. I got nothing higher than a grade D, and everything else I failed or I didn’t turn up for. I really want to go back and get them.”
Simon Cowell, Sir Richard Branson, and Jamie Oliver
Simon Cowell left school at 16 with just one O-level. He started out working in the mailroom at EMI Music Publishing before moving into talent scouting and the record business.
Sir Richard Branson left school without any qualifications before building the Virgin business empire. Reflecting on exam results on his blog, Branson wrote: “My suggestion is to not get too caught up in grades and concentrate on goals. Some people point rightly to the likes of Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, Sir Winston Churchill and Bill Gates and note that they all failed exams. They all went on to achieve great things.”
Jamie Oliver has been open about leaving school with just two GCSEs. On GCSE results day last year, the chef used Instagram to reassure students. He wrote: “Whatever your results, you’ve done brilliantly. Even if they’re not what you expected, you’re going to be just fine. Remember, school is just one part of your journey.” Oliver added: “I came out of school with just two GCSEs, and look at me now! 30 cookbooks, done – and more to come.”
Sarah Millican, Jon Snow, and James Corden
Sarah Millican has previously offered reassurance to students disappointed by their exam results by revealing her own A-level grades. The comedian said she received two D's and an E.
Jon Snow got a C in English and failed his other subjects, before later achieving a D and an E in economics and law. He then went to college and eventually secured a place at the University of Liverpool to study law through clearing. His advice: “Want to do what you want to do very badly,” adding: “There is life after A-levels.”
James Corden left school with just two GCSEs, but went on to become a household name through Gavin & Stacey before hosting The Late Late Show in the US.
Benedict Cumberbatch, Theo Paphitis, and Jo Malone
Benedict Cumberbatch has admitted his interest in academic success dipped after an impressive set of GCSE results. The actor told the Metro he had “blown” his GCSEs “out of the water”, creating expectations of an Oxbridge standard at A-level, but later became distracted and “a bit lazy”.
Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis left school at 16 without qualifications after struggling with dyslexia. He started as a filing clerk before moving into retail and entrepreneurship.
Jo Malone struggled with dyslexia at school and left without qualifications. She later founded Jo Malone London before launching Jo Loves.
Deborah Meaden left school before completing her A-levels and instead studied business at college. She built a successful career, including running a multi-million-pound family holiday company, before becoming a Dragons' Den investor.
Guy Ritchie left school at 15 after struggling with education and has said his only qualification is a GCSE in film studies. The director recalled attending around 10 schools and said he was “appalling” at all of them.
Carey Mulligan faced a major setback when she was rejected by Rada, Central, and Drama Centre London as a teenager. She broke into acting and became one of Britain's most acclaimed film stars.
Lord Alan Sugar wrote on X in 2017: “GCSE RESULTS. If you didn't get the grades don't panic. @richardbranson didn't get any I never went to UNI. Get on with what you're good at.”
Stephen Fry struggled at school and was expelled from more than one institution. He later returned to education, won a place at Cambridge University, and built a career as an actor, comedian, broadcaster, and writer.
Lily Allen left school at 15 without gaining any GCSEs. Speaking on her BBC podcast Miss Me?, Allen said: “I left school when I was 15 and I don't even have one GCSE, not one qualification.”
Joss Stone left school at 16 with just three GCSEs after struggling with dyslexia. She had already begun pursuing music as a teenager and became an internationally successful singer.
Sir Lenny Henry left school with no qualifications before beginning his career in entertainment. He later returned to education, taking English and maths O-levels, and eventually earned an English degree from the Open University.
For anyone disappointed with their GCSE results, these famous faces prove one set of grades does not necessarily decide what happens next.
