Some of the world's biggest stars didn't exactly excel in their A-levels, while others matched their on-screen personas with outstanding results. As students across the country collect their results, here's how famous faces performed.
Tom Daley's straight As
Olympic diving legend Tom Daley took his GCSEs in smaller batches to fit around his diving commitments. He went on to achieve an A* in Photography and As in both Spanish and Maths at A-level, collecting his results the year after winning bronze at the London 2012 Olympics.
Reflecting on the moment in a video message, Tom described opening the email with his grades as "the most nerve-wracking thing ever". He added: "I never have to go to school ever again. I am kind of going to miss it but I mean I'm very happy to come away with straight As."
Jeremy Clarkson's viral tradition
Jeremy Clarkson has become something of an A-level results day tradition, with fans eagerly waiting to see how he'll mark the occasion on social media each year. The former Top Gear presenter famously left school with a C and two Us at A-level.
Since 2014, he's posted annual messages reminding students that exam grades aren't everything. His first viral post read: "If your A-level results aren't joyous take comfort from the fact I got a C and two Us. And I have a Mercedes Benz."
In the years since, Clarkson has continued the joke, telling followers he was spending results day relaxing in a St Tropez villa, aboard a superyacht, enjoying truffles prepared by a chef and deciding which of his Range Rovers to drive.
Emma Watson's academic success
Emma Watson was another child star who managed to balance life in the spotlight with academic success. In 2008, the actress achieved straight As in English Literature, Geography and Art at A-level, living up to the studious reputation of her on-screen character, Hermione Granger. She later went on to study English Literature at Brown University in the United States.
Jon Snow's honest reflection
Veteran broadcaster Jon Snow has spoken candidly about struggling with his A-levels. He achieved a C in English Language but failed Geography and Biology, prompting him to switch colleges before eventually securing a place to study Law at the University of Liverpool.
Despite making it to university, Snow never completed his degree after being expelled for taking part in an anti-apartheid protest in 1970. Looking back on his school days, he once said: "I was really chuffed I got any A-levels at all, I was a complete dunderhead."
Clare Balding's biggest disappointment
BBC sports broadcaster Clare Balding has spoken openly about her 'biggest disappointment' when she underperformed in her A-levels, achieving an A in English but failing both History and Latin. She took two years out to resit her exams and improve her university interview skills.
Her determination paid off, earning her a place at the University of Cambridge. "It's so extraordinary that I got into Cambridge. I got an A in my English A-level, but my grades in history and Latin were poor. I applied to Christ's College and was turned down. My father [Ian Balding, the Queen's former racehorse trainer] was very disappointed: he had got in with only O-levels!" she told the Independent.
Other famous faces
Deborah Meaden left school at 16 without taking A-levels, despite later being awarded three honorary degrees. She launched her first business at just 19 and is estimated to be worth around £40 million.
Simon Cowell left school with just three O-Levels and didn't bother with A-Levels, instead trying his hand at a string of entry-level jobs, including working as a runner on The Shining.
Sir Richard Branson left school at 16 without any A-Levels and went on to build a global business empire, with his fortune now estimated at around £3.6 billion. On A-level results day in 2016, he wrote: "If you didn't get the results you were hoping for, don't despair. There is lots more to be learned from failure than success, and if you have the will to succeed, not having a paper with A, B or C written on it isn't going to hold you back."
Geri Horner achieved an A in A-level English Language while studying at Camden School for Girls. Rather than heading to university, she pursued a series of jobs before joining the Spice Girls, who went on to become the best-selling female group of all time. She previously told the Guardian: "I don't feel I achieved what I could have at school. I was always slightly distracted. I did OK, but my focus wasn't there."
